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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS. 


HOLMES AMMIDOWN. 







































% 


/ 




/ 


















































































HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS: 


CONTAINING 

I. THE REFORMATION IN FRANCE; 

THE RISE, PROGRESS AND DESTRUCTION OF THE HUGUENOT CHURCH. 

II. THE HISTORIES OF SEVEN TOWNS: 

Six of which are in the South Part of Worcester County, Mass., namely; 


OXFORD, DUDLEY, WEBSTER, 
STURBRIDGE, CHARLTON, SOUT1IBRIDGE, 


AND THE 

TOWN OF WOODSTOCK, 

NOW IN CONNECTICUT, 

HUT ORIGINALLY GRANTED AND SETTLED BY PEOPLE FROM THE 
PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS, AND REGARDED AS BE¬ 
LONGING TO HER FOR ABOUT SIXTY YEARS. 


By HOLMES AMMIDOWN, 

MERCHANT. 


SECOND EDITION, 

INCLUDING REFERENCE TABLE AND COMPLETE INDEX. 


VOL. I. 


i J > 

0 , » 


NEW YORK: 

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

1877. 










SUPPLEMENT. 


This supplement is placed at the end of Volume I., contain¬ 
ing: 

First. History of the Poll Parish Meeting-House, now South- 
bridge, and an account of the several ministers who supplied 
preaching the sixteen years of its existence. (See Vol. I., 
p. 533). 

Second. History of the establishing of the first schools and dis¬ 
tricts in the territory, now Southbridge, before the incorpora¬ 
tion of the Poll Parish in 1801. Vol. I., p. 554. 

Third. The Masonic institutions in the district composed of 
Charlton, Dudley, and Sturbridge, and places of meetings. 
Vol. I., p. 556. 

Fourth. Public and family cemeteries in Charlton. Vol. I., 
p. 560. 

Fifth. The Equivalent Lands. Vol. II., p. 581. 

Sixth. Errata and Biographical. Vol. II., p. 586. 

Complete Index at the end of Vol. II. 


CONTENTS OF OEIGINAL WORK. 

Vol. I. 

First. Reformation in France and dispersion of the Huguenots, 
page 9. 



11 


CONTENTS OF ORIGINAL WORK. 


Second. History of the Huguenot Plantation at Oxford Mass., 
page 105. 

Third. History of the English settlement of Oxford, Mass., 
page 185. 

Fourth. History of the town of Woodstock, Ct., p. 257. 

Fifth. History of the town of Dudley, Mass., p. 405. 

Sixth. History of the town of Webster, Mass., p. 400. 

Vol. II. 

First. History of the town of Sturbridge, Mass., p. 5. 

Second. History of the town of Charlton, Mass., p. 113. 

Third. History of the Poll Parish, Mass., p. 229. 

Fourth. History of the town of Southbridge, Mass., p. 268. 

Fifth. History of churchyards and cemeteries, modern and 
ancient, p. 345. 

Sixth. History of the cotton plant in the United States, p. 386. 


PREFACE. 


I N presenting these “ Historical Collections ” to the public, 
the author is well aware of the many imperfections existing 
in them, some of which are errors of date and spelling of proper 
names, which occurred through the negligence of the printer in 
not properly correcting the proof-sheets as marked by the writer. 
Such errors have been noted in the errata. As regards gram¬ 
matical accuracy and nicely formed sentences, the writer claims 
nothing, but believes that facts presented are generally correctly 
stated. 

The work, no doubt, by some will be regarded as diffuse, 
more so than the subject-matters required, but in that respect it 
has been the design, by such illustrations, to explain in many 
instances the origin of that which now exists, and in other 
respects to introduce contemporaneous events, explanatory of 
results which followed. 

The gathering of the scraps of history here presented, has 
been the result of the employment of leisure time not required 
for service in a mercantile life of active labor through a period 
of more than forty years, and nearly all arranged in chrono¬ 
logical order, and written out after the writer had passed the 
bounds of threescore years and ten. 

If these Collections shall be the means of preserving from 
oblivion any considerable amount of the facts therein contained, 
so as to enable others to use them better, and more interestingly, 
at some future period, the writer will have satisfied the extent 
of his aspirations. 



IV 


PREFACE. 


He is under many obligations to parties who liave kindly 
granted aid in this behalf, and for other historical matters now 
in manuscript, of a more general character, which are de¬ 
signed for a third volume of equal extent, and which may 
or may not appear in print hereafter. 

It may further be observed, that the bringing forth of these 
volumes, and the labor and expenditure in aid of establishing 
the Public Library, Reading-room and Museum in his native 
town of Southbridge, for the benefit of the inhabitants of that 
vicinity, are the result of a design contemplated many years 
since. 

However these pages may be regarded by the public, they go 
forth as a work that has caused much labor and diligent 
research, and whatever may be their worth or value, they are to 
his native place and vicinity respectfully inscribed, by 

THE AUTHOR. 


New York, July 4, 1874. 


CONTENTS TO VOL. I. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 

Explanation page,. 

French Huguenots—Religious faith and condition of Europe at 

the era of the Reformation,. 

Reformation in Germany,. 

John Calvin and reform in France,. 

Account of reformers, . 

Origin of sale of indulgences,. 

Henry VIII a Romanist changed to a Protestan*, 

Charles V—His mistaken course of action, .... 

Francis I governed by policy,. 

Margaret of Valois and Renee de France—Honesty of religious 

action, .. 

Persecution at Dauphine by act of Francis I, 

Death of Francis I.—His son, who married Catherine de Medici, 

came to throne as Henry II, . 

The Houses of Guise and Conde—Admiral Coligny and Catherine 
de Medici, their character explained, . . 

The Society of Jesus or Jesuits, and founder Loyola, 

Charles V, his abdication and death—His son. Philip II, and some 

account of him, . 

Henry II, his character—The Bourbon Princes, why they were 

Protestants,. 

Jane de Albret, Queen of Navarre—Her religion, 

Termination of reign of Henry If—Cause of his death, 

His son becomes king as Francis II— A crisis in the kingdom, 
The Calvinistic Churches—Their Confession of Faith, 

Marriage of Francis II with Mary Stuart, of Scotland, 

Rigid persecution of the Protestants, and an attempt for their 

relief by Admiral Coligny,. 

Account of Admiral Coligny,. 

Death of Francis II and succession by his brother, Charles IX— 
Catherine de Medici regent, ...... 

Condition of religious affairs in France under Charles IX—Cause 
of religious wars, ........ 


PAGE 

9 

10-12 

12-16 

17 

18 

19 

20 
20 
21 

21,22 

24 

26 

26, 27 
28 

30 

31 

31 

32 

32 

33 

34 

35 

36 

37 
41 







VI 


CONTENTS. 


First religious war,.. 

Second religious war, .. 

Third religious war, ......•• 

Fourth religious war, 

Plan fur St. Bartholomew Massacre,. 

St. Bartholomew Massacre, . 

Charles IX and his mother, and the Romish Church, mistake 
the cause and effect of their acts, ..... 
Death of Charles IX—His brother as Henry III comes to the 

throne,.. 

Henry, Prince of Navarre, King of Navarre, on the death of Jane 
de Albret, escaped from Court of Charles IX, . 50, 

Treaty of pacification,. 

The Faction of the Three Henries,. 

Desperate condition of France—Henry III causes massacre of 

the Guises,. 

Union between Henry III and Henry, King of Navarre, and death 

of Henry III,.. 

Henry of Navarre now becomes king, as Henry IY—Published 
the Edict of Nantes, but to secure peace and his coronation, 

renounced Protestantism,. 

Planting of the first French Colonies in America, 

Death by assassination of Henry IY, and his character, 

Louis XIII comes to the throne—His marriage with Anne of 

Austria,.. 

The Huguenots unwise in their religious acts—Civil war again 
began—Siege of Rochelle, and its surrender, with loss of 
their political, military, and naval rights, 

Death of Louis XIII—His son becomes king as Louis XIY, with 

Anne of Austria as regent,. 

The Huguenots as a religious body, were now among the most 
respected in the kingdom, at home and abroad, 

The War of the Fronde,. 

Louis XIY of age—Makes his will the law of the kingdom—Plans 
the destruction of the Huguenot Church and institutions. 
Madame de Maintenon, an aspiring woman, with Pere la Chaise, 
aids the destruction of French Protestants, 

Louvois, the war minister, lets loose the soldiers to harrass the 

Huguenots, .. 

Repeal of the Edict of Nantes, and persecution increased with 

fanatical zeal, .. 

Bishop Burnet’s account of persecution, ..... 

Saurin’s account,. 

Bancroft’s account,. 

Hume’s account, . 

First French Settlements,. 


42 

45 

46 

47 

48 
53 

55 

56 

51,54,55 

57 

58 

59 
61 


61,62 

63 

64-67 

68, 69 


70-72 

72,73 

73 

73 

74-76 

76-78 

78, 79 

83, 84 
84 

87 

88 
90 

91-103 



CONTENTS. 


Vll 


OXFORD—FRENCH COLONY. 

The first grant for a town after King Philip’s War, . 

Report on Indian Lands, "*. 

Deeds, by Indians of Nipmuck country,.107, 

Grant for Oxford,. 

Character of grantees and their associates, .... 109- 

First survey of Oxford, its contents, and origin of name, 

Movement for procuring settlers,. 

Extension of time for settling the grant, ..... 

Thirty families of French Protestants the first colony put on 

the grant, .. 

Gabriel Bernon and Major Robert Thompson procure these set¬ 
tlers, .122, 

The arrival of the French Protestants at Boston, and means for 

inducing them to plant at Oxford,.124, 

Mrs. Sigourney’s “ Legends of Oxford,” ..... 

Account of Gabriel Bernon,. 

Facts by Dr. Holmes, . 

Curious Deed of Allotments of Land, ..... 
Names of signers and witnesses to Deed of Allotments of Land, 
Description of said Deed and how found, .... 
Account of the breaking-up of French colony, 

Daniel Bondet’s Letter about selling Rum, and his preaching to 

the Indians here. 

Account of the several early societies for propagating the Gos¬ 
pel in the English colonies,. 

Rev. Daniel Bondet’s Letter to Lord Cornbury, Explaining his 

services, .. 

Colonel Heathcote’s Statement of his labors and character, 

Account of Colonel Caleb Heathcote, Trinity Church, N. Y., 
and Rev. William Yesey, first minister, .... 
Account of old forts and Sigourney family, .... 
French Church—French River, its name, and Worcester Maga¬ 
zine, .146, 

Massacre and Dispersion—Names of the killed, .... 

Some returned to plantation for a time,. 

Account of Dr. Abial Holmes and Mrs. Sigourney, 

Mrs. Sigourney’s poem,. 

Rev. Peter Daillie and account of French Church at Boston, 

Death of Rev. Mr. Daillie and place of burial, .... 
Account of their meeting-house, and the origin and progress of 

the Roman Catholics at Boston,. 

Names of French Protestants here, and some account of their 
noted men,. 


105 

106 

108 

109 

-119 

119 

119 

120 

122 

123 

125 

124 

125 

126 

127 

135 

135 

137 

138 

139 

140 

142 

143 

145 

147 

148 

149 

152 

153 

154 

156 

158 

160 








Vlll 


CONTENTS. 


Faneuil Hall, its origin and history,. 162 

General Conway and Colonel Isaac Barre—His memorable speech 

in Parliament, and account of him,. 163 

Account of Gabriel Bernon, the factor of this French colony, 

and of Baron La Hautan,. 165 

Founding of Trinity Church, Newport, R. I., and some account 
of Bishop Berkeley—The founding of Redwood Library— 

The Ode on the prospect of planting the Arts and Sciences 

in America,. 169-171 

John Smibert, the pioneer painter in Americ i, .... 171 

Founding of Huguenot Church at New Rochelle, New York . 172 

Huguenots of Ulster County, New Paltz, N. Y., and “ The Hugue¬ 
not’s Farewell,” by Mrs. Hemans. 173 

Walloons, French Protestants, first settlers in N. Y., and Dutch 

Governors—Free toleration,. 176 

Huguenots settle in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Vir¬ 
ginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, by differ¬ 
ent names,.178-183 


OXFORD—ENGLISH SETTLEMENT. 


Proclamation by Grantees, . . . . . . . . . 185 

Names of English Settlers and First Town-meeting, ... 187 

First Meeting-house and First Ministers,.188,189 

Members of First Church and Second Meeting-house, and Pew 

Proprietors,.191-193 

Schools and Schoolmaster,. 197 

Proceedings in the War of Revolution,. 198-200 

Soldiers of the Revolution, 201 

Organization of State Government, ...... 202-204 

Oxford Army, Col. Rice, Commander,. 204 

Territory of Oxford and Town Hall,. 205, 206 

Town and State Officers, ........ 207-209 

Oxford Bank,. 209 

Manufacturing Companies,.210, 211 


ECCLESIASTICAL. 

The Congregational Society, 

Free Toleration in Religion established 1833, 
Rev. Horatio Bard well, account of, 

Oxford Parsonage Association, . 

Account of Universalist Society, 

Baptist Society,. 

Methodist Episcopal Society, 

Protestant Episcopal Society, 


213-220 

214 

217-219 

220 

221-228 

228 

232 

233 








CONTENTS. 


IX 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 


Rev. John Campbell,. 235 

Lord Loudon,. 235-242 

Family of Rev. Jolm Campbell,.* 240 

Other Ministers of Congregational Society, .... 243 

Wolcott Family, ......... 244 


LAWYERS. 


Sumner Bastow and Samuel Jennison,. 247 

Erasmus Babbitt and Hon. Ira Moore Barton, ... . . 248 

Hon. Alex. De Witt, ......... 250 

Learned Family, and others, ... 254,255 


WOODSTOCK. 


Located in the Nipmuck country, and the t first meeting for 

securing the grant, ....... 257 

Second and third meeting, and names of petitioners, . . 258 

Grant made by General Court,. 259 

Action by inhabitants of Roxbury, . . . . . 259-268 

Origin of name of Woodstock, ..269 

Joint action of Roxbury and Woodstock,. 270-274 

First political meeting of the town,. 275 

Division by proprietors for house lots, and their names, . . 278, 279 

Erecting a corn mill, .. 280 

First town meeting for organization, and names of officers, . 282 

Their first meeting-house—Their attendance upon religious 

worship, ,. 288,287 

Character of the Puritans, . 288 

How Woodstock changed its jurisdiction from Massachusetts to 

Connecticut,. 293-297 

Parish of West Woodstock granted,. 295 

First town meeting to effect the change, reasons for joining 

Connecticut, and action of that colony, . . . . 299-303 

Part of original grant lost by change of jurisdiction, . . 303 

The part cut off became known as Middlesex Gore—The disposi¬ 
tion of said Gore,. 304 

French War and Revolutionary struggle,. 305-312 

The celebration of the National birthday, July 4, 1870, . . 313-319 

The Woodstock Agricultural Society,. 320 

Woodstock Academy, . 321-329, 524 







X 


CONTENTS. 


ECCLESIASTICAL. 

The First Congregational Church and Society, .... 331-348 

Meeting Houses, .348,349 

Cemetery, . 351 

Hon. Samuel Dexter—Character, death, and place of burial, . 352 

The Second Congregational Society, AVest Parish, . . . 354 

The First Baptist Society,. 356-3G4 

The Second Baptist Society,. . 364 

The Third Congregational Society, Muddy Brook, . . . 365 

The Congregational Society, North Woodstock, . . . 367 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Gen. William Eaton, 373 

Commodore Charles Morris, ....... 376 

llev. Jedediah Morse, D.D.,. 377 

Professor 3. F. B. Morse, 380 

Rev. Abial Holmes, D.D., 390 

John Marcy,. 392 

John Chandler and John Chandler, Jr.,. 392 

Capt. Israel Putnam’s company of soldiers in garrison at Fort 

Edward, Dec. 5, 1755,. 395 

Henry C. Bowen, account of, 399 

Other distinguished names in Woodstock, .... 402 


DUDLEY. 

An act for incorporating a new town in County of Worcester, b 


the name of Dudley, . 405 

The condition of its territory at that early period, . . . 406, 407 

First town meeting, and names of officers, .... 408 

Doings relating to religious worship, ..... 409 

Arrangement and settlement of Rev. Charles Gleason, . . 410 

Account of the early Baptists here, . 411 

Acts relating to war of Revolution, .411-415 

Doings regulating price of labor and sundry articles, . . 417 

Acts relating to its territory,.419^ 420 

Its population, .......... 420 

Schools, .. 421 

Town Clerks and Selectmen, ....... 422 

Nichols Academy, its first building and destruction by fire, . 423, 424 

Act of Incorporation and aid for its support. 425-429 

Doings for neutralizing its religious character. 430 

Col. William Hancock its frii nd and benefactor, . . . 432 

Its officers for its government, and preceptors, .... 433 

Aid by the Town of Dudley, ....... 434 















CONTENTS. Xl’ 

manufacturing companies. 

The Merino Wool Factory Company, ..... 435 

Tuft’s Factory, or the Ram’s Horn,. 436 

The Village Cotton, Wool and Linen Manufacturing Company, . 437 

The Dudley Cotton Manufacturing Company, or Nichols Factory, 438 

ECCLESIASTICAL. 

The Congregational Society,. 439 

The Baptist Society, 443 

The Universalist Society,. 449 

The Methodist Society,. 451 


BIOGRAPHICAL. 

H< n. Aaron Tufts,. 

Hon. Geo. A. Tufts, ..... 

Hon. Peter C. Bacon,. 

Names of some of the noted inhabitants, 


WEBSTER. 


Its formation and territory, .... 

461 

Origin of Samuel Staler’s works here, 

462 

Bela Tiffany’s first visit here, and letter. 

464 

Operations at East Village, .... 

. 465-469 

Edward Howard, and operations at South Village, 

469 

Village Factory Sale and purchase of other lands, 

471 

Edward Howard sells to Samuel Slater and sons, 

472 

Some account of Mr. Slater’s affairs, 

. 472-476 

Character of Edward Howard, .... 

. 476,477 

John Tyson, ....... 

. 466, 467, 477 

Bela Tiffany, . . . 

. 464-467, 477 

Some account of Mr. Slater,. 

. 479-481,483 

Tariffs of United States,. 

. 488-490 

Wilkinson Family,. 

491 

Hand-Loom weaving,. 

493 

Power-Loom weaving,. 

493 

Advancement of cotton manufacture, . 

494 

Cotton and Cotton Gin,. 

495 

Samuel Slater’s family,. 

496 

Samuel Slaters’ second marriage, 

. 496,497 

Characteristics and change at Webster, and success 

of the Sla- 

ters’ business,. 

. 498-502 

Horatio Nelson Slater,. 

. 472,498-501 

Chief source of the prosperity of the town, 

497 


453 

•454 

455 

458 













Xll 


CONTENTS. 


ECCLESIASTICAL. 

Baptist Society,. 503 

Methodist Episcopal Society,. 517 

Protestant Episcopal Society, . . . . . . . 518 

Congregational Society,. 522 

Remarks,. 523 

Woodstock Academy,. 524 

Its Teachers,. 526 

Letter from Oliver Wendell Holmes,.532 


ERRATA. 

VOLUME I. 

Page 69, last line and last word, for offices, read officers. 

‘‘ 136, 3d line, for 1596, read 1696. 

“ 145, 16th line, for a massacre, read the massacre. 

“ 171, 7th line from bottom Note, for died 1728, read 1758. 

“ “ 6th line, for 1758, read 1728. 

“ 221, 13th line, for seventeenth century, read eighteenth. 
u 280, 3d line, for Bramford , read Branford. 
u 4 ‘ 26th line, for Benjamin Lubin, read Benjamin Babin. 

14 291, 26th line, for future homes, omit future, and read their home. 

“ 305, 6th line, for their, read for the. 

“ 314, 13th line, for M. E. Bowen, read H. E. Bowen. 

4fc 403, 12th line, for Rensalier , read Rensselaer. 

“ 507, 7th line, for Sallow , read Ballard. 

“ 512, 29th line, for Mr. Leonard, read Mr. Burbank. 

“ 530, 10th line, for 21 years, read 71 years. 

4 











HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS. 


-- 

REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 

Section I. 


CHAPTER I. 

TN proceeding with this work, the grant for the town of 
Oxford being the first among the several towns included 
in these historical sketches,, its history will be the first to be 
given. 

It is well known that the first attempt made for settling 
this grant was by a small colony of thirty families of French 
Protestants, commonly called u Huguenots,” who fled their 
native country through persecution for adherence to their 
religious faith. 

To excite a deeper interest in this people, and especially 
this small band who entered a wilderness country in a foreign 
land to find homes where they might live in peace, enjoy the 
rights of conscience, and to worship God according to its dic¬ 
tates, some account of the causes and sufferings of the Hugue¬ 
nots, that drove them to seek this refuge, will be given. 

The writer is aware that a noted and able historian,* as 
well as others of less notoriety, have written sketches of these 


* See Dr. Abial Holmes’ Memoirs of French Protestants at Oxford; 3d series Mass. Hist. 
Collections, vol. n, p. 20-26. 

2 






10 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


exiles and of their religions persecutions, yet it is deemed best, 
in a limited degree, to give some account of those troubles in 
connection with these collections. 

To enter generally into this question would involve a his¬ 
tory of the Reformation in France, which would require more 
space and greater research than the limits of this work will 
permit; but such is not the design. The Huguenots, like the 
Pilgrims and Puritans, were driven by the hand of oppression 
from their native land. 

A large portion of the pioneer settlers who founded the 
English colonies in America, which subsequently united and 
formed the United States, were friends of the great religious 
reform in Europe that ultimately divided the Romish church 
and established Protestantism. 

The circumstances, however, which had brought them to 
this newly-discovered land, differed according to the religious 
affairs of the country from which they came. The English 
Pilgrims and Puritans, the Scotch Presbyterians, and the 
French Huguenots, held substantially the same doctrines of 
religious faith. While the three first classes were persecuted 
for a non-conformity to a nominally Protestant church, the 
latter were persecuted for their refusing the ceremonies of the 
Papal hierarchy. 

The early steps that led the way to the great religious re¬ 
form in church matters, it is not the design here to treat of— 
that runs anterior to a remote period;—but to glance at some 
of the occurrences, subsequent to the era when the Reforma¬ 
tion became an established fact. 

At this culminating point the religious and political affairs 
of Europe, to a great extent, were under the control of three 
reigning princes: first, Henry VIII, of England, whose posi¬ 
tion had been much strengthened by the judicious acts of 
his father, Henry VII, who came to the throne by removing, 
by his marriage, the discordant elements in the aspirations of 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


11 


the two Houses of York and Lancaster*—securing the succes¬ 
sion in the line of his family. Henry VIII was crowned April 
22,1509, at the age of eighteen, and continued his reign thirty- 
eight years. By his marriage with Catherine of Aragon, 
widow of his deceased brother, Arthur, his political interests 
led him to favor the Bomish church against the efforts then 
being urged to correct many of the abuses practiced by the 
priesthood of that great religious body. These efforts were 
designed to sustain a sound moral and religious sentiment, and 
not to effect a division in the church, as was the result. 

Henry VIII strongly manifested his opposition to the 
Reform party by his writings against the Reformer, Luther, 
of Germany, for which the Pope, Leo X, in 1521, honored 
him with the title of “ Defender of the Faith,” which title 
has since been continued to the crowned heads of England. 

Afterwards, having a desire to be divorced from Catherine, 
to enable him to contract a marriage with Anne Boleyn, and 
being refused permission by the Pope, he appealed to his 
parliament, which body, after some delay, in 1532, passed 
the act known as the “ Anglican Schism,” withdrawing the 
obedience of the King and people of England from the con¬ 
trol of the See of Rome. The marriage was then consum¬ 
mated, January 25,1533, and their excommunication by Pope 
Paul, in 1535, followed; but, in defiance of this mandate of 
the Holy See of Rome, Henry VIII assumed the title of the 
head of the English church, placing himself and his people in¬ 
dependent of the Pope in both spiritual and political affairs. 

The second was Francis I, of France, son of Charles, Count 
of Angouleme, and cousin of Louis XII, King of France, 
whose daughter, Claude, he married in 1514; and, as the 
nearest heir to the throne of that kingdom, he succeeded 
to the crown on the death of Louis, January 1, 1515. He 

* Henry VII descended from the House of Lancaster, and married Elizabeth, of the House 
of York, daughter of Edward VI. 



12 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


adhered rigorously to the cause of the Romish church, and 
reigned thirty-two years. 

The third was Charles Y, Emperor of Germany, and King 
of Spain, under the title of Charles I. He was son of Philip 
of Burgundy, Archduke of Austria, and Joanna, daughter ol 
Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. His lather was son of the 
Emperor Maximillian, and Mary, daughter of Charles the 
Bold and Isabella of Bourbon. By the death of his father, 
Philip, in 1506, he became heir to the possessions of the 
House of Hapsburg in Germany, and the Dukedom of Bur¬ 
gundy (afterwards the Netherlands) in the right of his grand¬ 
mother, Mary. By the death of Ferdinand of Spain, in 1516, 
he inherited that kingdom as Charles I; also Naples and all 
the extensive dominion of Spain in America. He was the 
most powerful monarch at this time on the globe. He reigned 
as emperor thirty-six years. 

When these three crowned heads came to their thrones the 
cause of reform was already a formidable power in Christen¬ 
dom ; many princes and nobles and other great minds among 
both the laity and priesthood had become pledged to its 
support. All parties rightly informed of the cause of this 
opposition to the existing condition of the church, and not 
influenced by selfish motives of either political or religious 
interests, favored the cause. 

The Emperor of Germany, much of the time in the early 
part of his reign, was extensively engaged in military affairs 
in conducting war against the King of France, and was dis¬ 
posed to temporize rather than examine into the interest of 
his people in their religious matters, hoping to keep peace 
among his subjects by some conciliatory measures, whereby 
they all would continue under the church. In this decision 
he was doubtless actuated by the influence of the priesthood 
and the Pope. 

The empire, at this period, had become greatly agitated by 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


13 


factious partizans, and in many instances for selfish objects; 
but Luther and his friends of reform were not of this class; 
they equally opposed these infractions of order and law, as 
those of the corruptions of the church and the profligacy of 
the mendicant friars. 

They were consistent and ardent in their efforts to purify 
society, and to elevate the masses of the people to an intel¬ 
ligent understanding of religion. 

In this state of society the emperor permitted the assem¬ 
bling of the diet at Spires in 1526, over which his brother, 
Ferdinand, presided. 

The object was to discuss measures for the relief of the dis¬ 
turbed condition of civil and religious affairs in the empire. 

It was the emperor’s design to suppress all further disputes 
upon religious matters, and to insist upon executing the 
decrees of the diet of Worms, held in 1521. These were the 
rigid enforcement of the observance of the polity and dogmas 
of the Romish church, and a declaration against the heresy 
of Luther, who, by permission of the emperor, appeared at 
that diet and openly maintained the principles of reform, and 
vindicated himself and triends against the stigma of being 
seditious, or disturbers of the peace of society. 

The greater portion of the German princes in this assembly 
opposed the enforcement of the decisions of the diet at Worms, 
and declared it impossible to do so under the present excite¬ 
ment of the people upon these religious questions. Neither 
could they come to any decision with respect to settling points 
of religious faith, alleging that such decision involved ques 
tions that should be examined and decided upon by a general 
council, lawfully assembled, whose duty it was to deal with 
this subject. 

After much debate it was agreed by a large majority of this 
body— 

“To petition the emperor to assemble, without delay, a free and 


14 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


general council to act upon these questions; and it was further agreed 
that in the mean time the princes of the empire should, in their respect¬ 
ive dominions, be at liberty to manage ecclesiastical matters in such 
manner as they might deem best, yet so as to be able to give to God and 
the emperor an account of their administration when demanded of 
them.” 

Nothing could be more rational or satisfactory to all such 
as had the cause of pure Christianity at heart than this deci¬ 
sion. It was a favorable step for the encouragement of the 
principles of reform ; for the emperor’s time was so much en¬ 
grossed with war against Francis I, and in his affairs in Italy 
and Spain, that for several years he had no time to attend to 
these religious matters in Germany. This liberal decision of 
the diet at Spires was greatly improved by those opposed to 
the severe measures of the Papal church, and the cause of 
reform became greatly strengthened. 

This state of religious affairs greatly alarmed the Pope and 
Papal priesthood, and, as a matter of interest to their cause, 
they exerted their influence to induce the emperor to call another 
diet at Spires. He being then more at leisure, caused the 
assembling of the diet in 1529, when the tolerant and wise 
resolutions enacted at the former diet of 1526 were revoked 
by a majority of the members present, greatly to the dissatis¬ 
faction of a large number of the most able princes of the em¬ 
pire, who, on the 19tli of April, after finding all their argu¬ 
ments unavailing to change this decree, entered a solemn pro¬ 
test against the same, and appealed to the emperor and to a 
future council. 

This decree, following that of 1526, made it imperative, 
that instead of every prince managing ecclesiastical mat¬ 
ters as he thought proper, until a meeting of the general 
council, every change was declared unlawful that should be 
introduced into the doctrine, discipline, or worship of the 
Romish religion, until a future council should decide other¬ 
wise. The effect of this was to prevent any change in eccle- 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


15 


siastical matters; as it was the design of the established 
church and those opposed to reform not to call a council to 
act on this matter. 

The princes of the empire who joined in this protest were 
John, Duke of Saxony; George, Elector of Brandenburg; 
Ernest, of Franconia; Francis, Duke of Lunenburg; and 
Philip, Landgrave of Hesse; with a number of others of less 
note. The emperor was at once advised by these Protestants 
of their doings, by special commissioners, which caused much 
excitement and irritation with him, finding that his desires for 
a suppression of “ heresy,” as then termed, and a union of all 
parties in the established church, was boldly opposed. 

Their position, in opposing the plans of the emperor, was 
fully realized by these “ Protestants ,” which name they now 
received in common with all who dissented from, and desired re¬ 
form in the Romish church. A bold course, and union among 
all who desired reform, was now deemed indispensable; thus 
the origin of the treaty or league of Smalcald, entered into by 
these princes and their friends in 1530, which has been noted 
for its firmness in sustaining principles against arbitrary power. 

Many disturbing elements now arose with the friends of 
reform in doctrinal points and church discipline, which made 
it difficult for them to place their sentiments clearly before 
the public, or to act in concert and with power. Further¬ 
more, it became necessary in their justification before the 
emperor, in opposing his will, to show the ground of their 
opposition to him, and their claims for a reform in the Romish 
church. 

To do this, Luther, the leader of reform in Germany, was 
requested by the Elector of Saxony to reduce to writing the 
chief principles of the Reformed religion, and the objection to 
the doctrine and polity of the established church. This, 
Luther, and several others, eminent ministers engaged in the 
cause, performed, in seventeen articles, in the same year ; but 


16 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


it was soon after thought best to amplify them, which was 
done by Melancthon, preserving the principles as set forth by 
Luther, but framing them in language of greater elegance and 
clearness, conferring much honor upon that able writer. 
These principles were extended to twenty-eight articles, and 
have since been known as the “ Augsburg Confessions.” 

These confessions were made public by being read at the 
diet of Augsburg, held, June 20, 1530, at which time the sub¬ 
ject of religion was permitted to be discussed by the party of 
reform in the emperor’s presence. 

These confessions were read by the Chancellor of Saxony. 
The clear exposi tion of the Protestant faith, as set forth in these 
articles, as well as their objections to the forms and proceed¬ 
ings of the Romish church, were heard by the princes with 
great interest. They confirmed the opinions of those who had 
before examined into the new faith, and changed the minds 
of others in their favor by the reasonableness of the principles 
and soundness of the arguments. 

Of the twenty-eight chapters which contain the Augsburg 
Confessions, twenty-one include the exposition of the princi¬ 
ples of the Protestants, and seven the details of the errors of 
the Romish church. 

Although a committee, sanctioned by the Pope, drew up 
articles of refutation of these principles, which, by their influ¬ 
ence, were supported by the emperor, they did not have the 
effect to change the honest and intelligent minds of the un¬ 
prejudiced. 

During this period of excitement in religious affairs in Ger¬ 
many, the general principles acknowledged and accepted by 
its friends there, were taking root and advancing generally 
throughout the countries of Europe, and in none was there a 
more deep and earnest feeling in their favor than in France. 

Here Lefevre and Farel were ardently engaged in this 
cause, before the voice of Luther was heard in Germany. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


17 


The difference in the two countries at this time was, that the 
head of the government of France was more constantly with 
his subjects and ready to support the efforts of the Romish 
priesthood in suppressing any encroachments upon their hold 
on the superstitious minds of the people. 

The light of truth as proclaimed by the Scriptures could 
no longer be shut out, with the unceasing efforts of those who 
had learned and compared them with the superstitious errors 
advanced by the friars and priests connected with Papacy. 

At this eventful period the celebrated John Calvin* en¬ 
tered this field of labor. 

It was through the efforts of this celebrated man that the 
Reformation received its shape and form in France. The 
simple word of the Scriptures, illustrated by the powerful 
efforts of Calvin, with the expose of the base conduct of the 
Romish priesthood, advanced greatly the numbers who joined 
in the cause of reform. He was exposed to great peril by the 
force of legal enactments, which provided severe penalties for 
all who should be found teaching the Reformed religion. 

Many ministers of the Reformed church, convicted of preach¬ 
ing this faith, perished at this time by the fiames. Calvin, 
the aged and venerable Lefevre, and Farel, fled their country, 
and, for a time, received protection from Margaret, Queen of 
Navarre, and Renee, Duchess of Ferrara; the latter, daughter 
of Louis XII; and the first, sister of Francis I, of France. 

But such minds as John Calvin’s, and his earnest efforts in 
this cause, could not be pent up or controlled by penal enact¬ 
ments, or circumscribed by the territorial limits of France ; he 


* John Calvin was born at Noyon in Picardy, near Paris, July 10, 1509. He was designed 
for the law; but, obtaining a copy of the Scriptures, his mind was greatly impressed 
with their truth and reasonableness, compared with the superstitious forms and observ¬ 
ances of the Romish church. The simplicity of the Revealed Word convinced his judgment, 
and at the age of twenty he was ripened in mind and determination to enter the field as a 
Reformer; this was at the crisis in Germany, the protest at the diet at Spires, in 1529, and of 
the promulgation of the Confessions of Augsburg, which soon followed. His theology, 
which immortalized his name, was written at the age of twenty-five. 



18 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


soon found safety in Geneva, where he united his labors with 
the great Reformers of Germany and Switzerland. 

The underlying principle of the Reformation, at this time, 
was but imperfectly understood; it was not a religious form 
or dogma, but freedom of thought. This era was ushered in 
by the great discovery of the art of printing, the better use of 
the magnetic needle ; in fact, the general advance of knowl¬ 
edge among men. The Papal church flourished best in an 
ignorant and superstitious age. It had rendered much good 
service in the middle ages in the preservation of learning, and 
its acts of philanthropy, but had, in many respects, accom¬ 
plished its destiny, and was now to give place to a. new 
development of ideas. 

T1 le human mind, with the new light it had received, could 
no longer be pent up by religious dogmas or ancient tradi¬ 
tions ; religion henceforth was to touch the heart, be weighed 
by the conscience, and governed by the spirit of truth and 
benevolence. 

Those powers which undertook to stand in the way of its 
progress mistook their best interests and the revelations of 
the time. Its advance might, for a time, be retarded, but it 
could not be stayed; there was a divinity in its nature that 
no human force could control. 

The self-sacrificing labors of those remarkable men, called 
“ The Reformers,” extending through the long period from 
the days of Wycliffe, Huss, and Jerome of Prague, to Luther, 
Zuinglius, Melancthon, John Knox, John Calvin, and the 
learned Theodore de Beza, accomplished far more than was 
originally designed.*' 


* John de Wycliffe, an English Reformer, sometimes called the “Father of the Reforma¬ 
tion,” was born in 1324, and died, December 31, 1384, aged sixty. 

John Huss, of Bohemia, a disciple of Wycliffe, was born, July 6, 1373, and burned at the 
stake in Bohemia, July 6,1415, aged forty-two. 

Jerome of Prague (in Bohemia), was born in 1378, and burned as a heretic at Constance, 
May 30,1416, aged thirty-eight- 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


19 


It was not a separation from the Romish church that they 
contemplated at first, but to correct abuses (the sale of indul¬ 
gences by mendicant friars was probably the first evil ob¬ 
jected to), to reform (thus they received the name of Reform¬ 
ers), to introduce a pure religious faith to a cultivated intel¬ 
lect ; clearing away the errors, superstitions, and corruptions 
introduced into the Romish church by a profligate and licen¬ 
tious priesthood. The laity were to be taught the Scriptures, 
that they might have the proper means of thought to form an 
intelligent faith, based upon their teachings. These pure- 
minded men did not believe in the absurdity of the declared 
infallibility of the Pope, or that the declarations of the priest¬ 
hood were to be received as truths, without a comparison and 
test of their value with the teachings of Scripture, and found 
to be there substantiated.* 


Martin Luther, the leader of reform in Germany, born in Prussian Saxony, November 
10, 1483, and died there, February 18, 1546, aged sixty-three. 

Ulric Zuinglius, of Switzerland, a patriot and Reformer, born, January 1, 1484; killed in 
the battle of Cappel, October 12, 1531, aged forty-seven. 

Philip Melancthon, a learned scholar and graceful orator, of Germany, born in the Lower 
Palatinate, now Baden, February 16, 1497; died at Wittenberg, April 19, 1560, aged sixty- 
three. 

John Knox, of Scotland, bold and zealous, born in 1505, and died in Edinburgh, Novem¬ 
ber 24, 1572, aged sixty-seven. 

John Calvin, the great leader of reform in France, born in Noyon, Picardy, near Paris, 
July 10, 1509; died in Geneva, May 27, 1564, aged fifty-five. 

Theodore de Bcza, a French Reformer, born, June 24, 1519; an eminent scholar, and 
possessed of much wealth and family standing; died at Geneva, October 13, 1605, aged 
eighty-six. 

* The exercise of the right of private judgment, or the right of the people to read the 
Bible, was, by the Romish church, peremptorily denied. 

OKIGIN OF THE SALE OF INDULGENCES. 

It is said that the teachings of the Roinish church were, that only a certain degree of 
goodness was required to merit salvation, and that all the excess of goodness by saints, 
together with the infinite merits of the Saviour, were controlled by St. Peter and his suc¬ 
cessors, the Popes, who could at pleasure draw from the accumulated treasure of super¬ 
abundant goodness, and dispense it to such as were deficient, by being paid in money, 
according to the necessities of the delinquent. 

Hence the origin of the sale of indulgences, which, it is stated, began in the eleventh 
century. 

Pope Leo X, in 1517, granted the right of sale of indulgences in Germany, with a share 
of the profits, to the Archbishop of Magdeburg, for his agency. This sale having been 
conducted with such indiscretion, and so extensively, it created great alarm in the minds 





20 


REFORMATTON TN FRANCE. 


It was the design to relieve the minds of the masses from 
ignorance and the bondage of superstition and deception, 
which it was the interest of crafty parties to continue, that 
they might live in luxury upon their scanty earnings. Such 
was the work that engaged the attention of the Reformers. 

The change of Henry Till from a Romanist to the sup¬ 
port of Protestantism was, no doubt, for selfish purposes ; but, 
however this may have been, it was an act of wisdom, as the 
tendency of the people of England was against Popery, and 
to relieve themselves from all improper restraint in both 
political and religious affairs ; these ideas came naturally by 
their Saxon descent. The love of liberty has nowhere been 
more tenacious than that exhibited by the people residing in 
the low countries in Europe bordering upon the North sea. 

Tacitus refers particularly to this trait in the ancient Fris¬ 
ians, Cimbrians, and Cliaucians, and of the frequent w'ars had 
with them by the Romans, but which could never subdue or 
deprive them of their liberty, which they so greatly prized. 

These people occupied the greater part of what is now 
known as the Netherlands, and for a long time in possession 
of the Burgundians.* 

The course adopted by Charles Y, the Emperor of Ger¬ 
many, following the diet at Augsburg, indicated a lack of 
wisdom to perceive- the tendency of the age. 

Half of his German subjects, the better portion of them, 
opposed the course of the Romish church, and were at this 
time a united body in favor of reform principles, which had 

of all who liad regard for the cause of morals and religion. Besides, the great drain of 
money from the country excited alarm. 

Among the most ardent opposers of this corrupting traffic was Martin Luther, showing 
the artifices of those who sold, and the simplicity of those who bought, which not only 
tended to correct the evil, but to shake the foundation of the Papal See. The Pope at¬ 
tempted to persuade Luther to desist—he theu being a monk of the Augustine order—but 
to no purpose. Eis memorable articles of condemnation, ninety-five in number, were 
posted on the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, October 31, 1517. He was for this, and 
his preaching against this corrupting influence, condemned by the Pope, June 20,1520, 
as a heretic. 

* See Tacitus, London ed., 1770, note iv. Treatise of Germany, pp. 54-57. 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


21 


been adopted by the Protestants in all the countries of 
Europe as the foundation of the Reformation. 

The emperor’s ideas on this great question were far better 
adapted to the minds of his bigoted subjects of the peninsula 
of Spain. The policy he then adopted was continued by his 
narrow-minded son (after his abdication) with the people of 
the Netherlands, which resulted in their revolt, and subse¬ 
quent independence of his rule. This unwise and intolerant 
course here commenced may be taken as the commencement 
of the downward course of the empire of Spain, and which 
has changed that monarchy from one of the most powerful 
governments to one of weakness and general disrespect. 

With Francis I, of France, at the time of the promulga¬ 
tion of the Augsburg Confessions, his position was somewhat 
different; a large majority of his subjects were submissive to 
the mandates of Popery; the powerful efforts of Calvin did 
not then exist; his was then an ascendant luminary just 
making its appearance above the base of the moral horizon. 

This king of France was not ignorant of the principles of 
the reform, or of the tendency of the age; and, no doubt, 
had he acted in accordance with his own unbiased judgment, 
he would have favored the purifying of the Papal church. 
If these reforms had at first been submitted to by the Romish 
church with the design of sustaining purity of worship, and 
the promotion of sound moral and Christian principles, no 
doubt, it would to this day have remained undivided, but con¬ 
formed to the light of truth and reason, in its advanced 
stages. 

It is proper here to mention two celebrated ladies noted for 
their intelligence and purity of purpose, before referred to, 
who rose above the ordinary selfish motives adopted by 
royalty, as it was actuated at this period. They were Marga¬ 
ret of Valois,* Queen of Navarre, and sister of Francis I, of 

* Margaret of Valois was the daughter of Charles of Orleans, Duke of Angouleme, and 




22 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


France ; and Renee de France, Duchess oi Ferrara, daughter 
of Louis XII, and Anne of Brittany, and youngest sister of 
Claude, the wife of Francis I. 

The former had much influence over Francis I, her brother, 
and had at one time prevailed on him to listen to the preach¬ 
ing of a Protestant minister, and finally engaged him to hear 
the eloquent and noted Reformer, Melancthon, discuss the 
Reform doctrines. Melancthon was sent tor, and the time 
appointed for hearing his views of reform, which step caused 
great alarm with the Papists, hut gave great encourage¬ 
ment to the Protestants, as favoring their cause; hut, through 
the influence of the Cardinal de Tournon (Francis, Arch¬ 
bishop of Lyons), then the king’s spiritual adviser, he was 


Louisa of Savoy. She was born at Angouleme in 1492. In 1509, at the age of seventeen, 
she married Charles, the last Duke of Alencon, who died at Lyons after the battle of Pavia, 
in 1525. She visited Madrid, in Spain, to attend Francis I, then sick, and a prisoner of 
Charles V, he having been taken in the noted battle of Pavia, which was fought, February 
24, 1525. It was through the influence of his sister Margaret, then a widow, that the empe¬ 
ror and his ministers treated her brother according to his royal rank, and finally restored 
him to his kingdom. 

His love and high regard for his sister led him to promote her marriage with Henry de 
Albret, King of Navarre, which took place in January, 1527; by this marriage she became the 
mother of the noted Jane de Albret, who became Queen of Navarre, and mother of Prince 
Henry, of Navarre, whose father was Anthony of Bourbon, and on the death of Henry III, 
of France, and last of the House of Valois, by his marriage with Margaret of France, he, by 
right became the lawful heir to the throne of France, in 1589, as Henry IV, and the first of 
the House of Bourbon, in that kingdom. Margaret of Valois died in 1549. Was the author 
of the “ Heptameron.” 

Renee, Duchess of Ferrara, was born at Blois, in 1510; she was married in 1527, at the age 
of seventeen, to Hercules II, of Este, Duke of Ferrara. Her knowledge and interest in the 
religious controversies of that time were great, and she joined in support of reform in the 
Pai>al church, and favored the friends of the Reformation. 

Calvin visited her in disguise, and he and his principles were favorably received. Her 
court became the asylum of those who were suspected of heresy. This was greatly displeas¬ 
ing to Henry II, of France, and he w r rote to the Duke of Ferrara: “ If the duchess persists 
in her course she must be separated from all conversation; her children must be taken from 
her; and all her domestics who are suspected of heresy must be prosecuted. With regard 
to the princess herself, the king refers to the prudence of her husband. ” 

Her four children were taken from her and brought to France to be educated in the Roman 
Catholic faith. After the death of her husband in 1559, she returned to her castle at Mon¬ 
targes in France, and when the Duke of Guise summoned her to give up some Protestants 
who had sought her protection, she replied: “ That she would not deliver them, and should 
he attack her castle she would be the first to place herself in the breach to see if he would 
dare to kill a king’s daughter.” She was obliged to send away a large number of these Pro¬ 
testants to preserve peace, but paid the expense of their journey to places of safety. She 
died in Montarges in 1575, aged sixty-five. 




REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


23 


prevailed upon to decline hearing this discussion of reform 
principles by Melancthon, and to make the promise never to 
desert the Romish faith. 

This sudden change of the king was regarded as a severe 
blow to the principles of reform in France. It gave evidence 
that under the reign of this king there was to be no tolerance 
of the Reformed faith. 

An edict against propagating the Reformed religion in his 
kingdom was sanctioned by Francis I, as early as 1523, when 
several congregations of this faith were dispersed, and mauy 
leaders were burnt as heretics. This effort for suppressing 
the Reformation in France has been mentioned by Fleury, a 
Jesuit priest • 

44 From time to time some false prophet appeared upon the scene, to 
publish his fanaticism, or sound the disposition of the court. But 
repression was prompt. It cost dear to many for having spoken under 
pretended inspiration. They were all burnt alive; and a dread of fire 
silenced the spirit of several oracles.” “ History mentions these despi¬ 
cable persons, doubtless to perpetuate the reproach of their birth and 
impiety, rather than to celebrate these vile founders of the Calvinistic 
church.” “An annual procession was instituted to render thanks to 
God that they had got rid of such heretics.” 

This exhibits the spirit manifested in the period of the reign 
of Francis I. 

His time was largely engaged in the operations of war with 
either Charles Y or Henry VIII; and, while he persecuted 
with unrelenting vigor the Protestants of France, he did not 
scruple to give aid and encouragement to the Reformed within 
the limits of the dominions of the Emperor of Germany when¬ 
ever they rebelled against Papal persecution. And Charles 
Y was governed by the same principles in relation to the 
Protestants of France. 

History clearly shows that religious faith had little or no 
effect upon the acts of the chief rulers of Europe further than 
it served their political policy during the reigns of the three 


24 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


monarchs here referred to; and even the bigoted successor of 
Charles V was at all times ready to aid the Protestants of 
Navarre when he could withdraw them from an alliance with 
France; while at the same time he was using all his military 
power to crush out liberty, and establish the Inquisition in the 
provinces of the Netherlands. 

There will be found but little exception from this in later 
and more recent times. 

Marriage and religion has with royalty, with few excep¬ 
tions, been governed by matters of expediency. The great 
question for decision has been what would best strengthen 
and perpetuate the claims of royalty. 

Likewise the nobility shared largely the same policy; what 
there was that might be called religious faith, rested with the 
middle and lower classes of society, and with these their minds 
were largely governed by superstition and fanaticism, leaving 
of what might be called rational faith a small part. 

When Calvin published his “ Christian Institutes” at Geneva, 
he dedicated the work to Francis I, imploring his compassion 
for the Protestants. This, Cardinal Tournon represented to 
his majesty “ as an outrage upon his honor and the religion of 
his ancestors.” The effect was to increase rather than dimin¬ 
ish persecution. “ It was even declared a crime to pray in 
French.” “ It became about as dangerous to converse in 
secret as to discuss these questions in public.” 

Nothing escaped the vigilance of the Cardinal Tournon. 
Foreign princes were accustomed to say that “ the cardinal 
alone was equal to an inquisition in France.” 

The most awful acts against those who refused obedience 
to the Romish church in this reign were those inflicted upon 
the descendants of the ancient Vaudois, who had settled in the 
mountain districts of Daupliine, where, by their peaceful 
and quiet industry, they were leading a comfortable and 
happy life. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


25 


They had heard of the severe persecutions against the 
Huguenots, whose faith was similar to their own, which led 
them to express their sympathy in their behalf, and a detesta¬ 
tion of the superstitions of Popery. This coming to the 
knowledge of the court, a decree was passed ordering them to 
appear and give an account of their religion; but, delaying to 
obey this decree, “ an order was passed for their extermination 
as rebels; their goods were to be confiscated, their houses 
destroyed, and that even the trees of their plantation should 
be dug up.”* 

This order was delayed until 1545, when Francis I, near 
the close of his reign, permitted it to be executed. 

Says the historian De Thou: “ Everything was horrible 
and cruel in the sentence pronounced against them, and 
everything more horrible and more cruel in its execution.” 
Twenty-two towns or villages were burned or sacked with 
an inhumanity of which the history of the most barbarous 
people hardly presents an example. The unfortunate inhabi¬ 
tants, surprised in the night by a brutal soldiery, were pursued 
by the light of their burning dwellings and slain indiscrimi¬ 
nately. Voluntary surrender did not exempt any; neither 
the cries of the aged nor the women and children had the 
power to soften the excesses of their brutality. It was for¬ 
bidden, under pain of death, to afford them any refuge. The 
women, in instances where they had remained shut up in 
their houses, were hunted out and driven in large numbers 
into barns filled with straw, which were then set on fire, and 
all who attempted to escape were forced back by the sword, 
and consumed by the flames. 

The destruction was complete ; their mountain homes were 
one scene of desolation. Maimbourg represents over 3,000 
persons killed, and 900 houses plundered and then destroyed. 

* This decree dates November 18, 1540. See Browning’s History of the Huguenots, 
page 23. 


3 



26 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


Other historians confirm the facts here given ; but it is asserted 
that the king’s orders for their punishment were exceeded. 

Such was the condition of the French Protestants at the 
death of Francis I, which occurred March 31, 1547, at the 
age of fifty-three years. He was a man of ability; but his 
character was tainted with debauchery, characteristic of that 
period, which hastened his death. His only surviving son, 
born of his wife Claude, March 31, 1519, now came to the 
throne of France as Henry II. 

He was married in his 14th year, October 28, 1533, to 
Catherine de Medici, daughter of Lorenzo de Medici, Duke 
of Urbino, who was about his age. 

During his reign his court was much divided in their re¬ 
ligious sentiments, as well as their political aspirations. The 
wars with Germany and the Spanish monarchy, which had so 
largely engaged the attention of his father, were continued, 
but with less ability. He also renewed the persecutions 
against the Protestants. Many of the nobles and some of 
the princes of the royal family gave their support to the Re¬ 
formation. The king’s mistress, Diana de Portiers, the 
celebrated Duchess de Valentinois, had great influence in this 
reign, supplanting most entirely the queen, Catherine de Medici. 

In the reign of Francis I, his predecessor, there arose in 
France a class of persons remarkable for their subsequent 
acts, which gave tone to the moral, civil, and religious affairs 
of the kingdom, embracing not only the reigns of the four 
succeeding kings of the House of Yalois, but extending their 
influence into the following royal House of Bourbon. 

The first of these were of the House of Guise, a younger 
branch of the ducal family of Lorraine, which, by marriage, 
became connected with the royal family of France. The 
Guises, to promote their interests, gave ardent support to 
the Romish church, and bitterly opposed the cause of the 
Reformation. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


27 


The second were those of the House of Conde ; these were 
a younger branch of the House of Bourbon, which, for a long 
period, held great influence in the affairs of Europe. These 
w T ere also connected by marriage with the royal House of 
Yalois and the royal family of Navarre. They were rivals 
of the Guises, and united with the Protestants and supported 
their cause. 

The third was Admiral Coligny, honest and brave, a de¬ 
fender and lover of his country. He was a Calvinist in faith, 
and united with the Conde in the Protestant cause, and 
opposed the aspiring family of Guise. He deprecated the 
civil wars as greatly injurious to the kingdom, but was forced 
through necessity to join in them with the Conde, in behalf 
of the Protestants, to maintain his own religious sentiments, 
and in support of a common cause, against the persecutions 
by the Homish church. 

The fourth was Catherine de Medici, of the celebrated 
family of that name, that possessed great power and wealth 
for many years in Tuscany. It was their wealth that induced 
Francis I to contract the marriage of his second son with 
Catherine, expecting that his eldest son would succeed him 
to the crown; but his unexpected decease brought his son 
Henry to the throne, and made De Medici queen. Her 
family were strong supporters of the Papal church. 

The character of Catherine, from her youthfulness, when 
she entered the French court, was readily conformed to the 
custom and taste of that period in France. 

She had four sons and three daughters by this marriage. 
Three of her sons successively became Kings of France. Her 
eldest daughter, Elizabeth, became Queen of Spain, as the third 
wife of Philip II; and her daughter, Margaret, by her marriage 
with Prince Henry, of Navarre, became Queen of France and 
Navarre, by the accession of her husband to the throne of 
France, as Henry IY, on the death of her brother, Henry III. 


28 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


There is scarcely a name more odious in history than 
Catherine de Medici. She was noted for her powers of dis¬ 
simulation and intrigue—treacherous to all parties, destitute 
of any declared principles in either civil or religious affairs, 
and quite ready to sacrifice either friends or foes to satisfy her 
love of power. 

It was also during the reign of Francis I that arose that 
remarkable religious order in the Romish church called the 
“ Society of Jesus,” or Jesuits. The founder, Ignatius Loyola, 
was born in 1491, in Spain, and in his youth served in the 
court of Ferdinand and Isabella. Having been wounded as 
a soldier at a later period of his life, he retired from the camp, 
when his mind was engaged in meditations upon religious 
affairs, and after several years of a solitary life in doing pen¬ 
ance he originated this order in 1538, which, on application 
to Pope Paul III, and an ardent effort on his part, was 
admitted into connection with that church in September, 1540, 
and he became the chief of the order in 1541. 

The characteristic principle of this order is the initiate vow 
which each member is obliged to take upon himself before he 
is accepted as one of that fraternity. They solemnly promise 
before Grod and the Pope, in the presence of the Virgin 
Mother and the Host, to observe perpetual poverty, chastity, 
and obedience to the commands of the church and the supe¬ 
riors of the order, leaving no discretion or preference on their 
part, even if the result is to be clearly a sacrifice of life for 
themselves or others. 

They divide the world into provinces, each having a chief 
of the order, who receives orders of duty from the chief 
general who resides at Rome. These orders and plans are 
transmitted to each member wherever situated, in any part of 
the globe, and promptly executed, and the result reported 
back to the head at Rome, thus keeping up a constant sur¬ 
veillance over society and individuals everywhere, and with 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


29 


perfect secrecy, except reports to superiors. The orders of 
the Pope or the chief of the order are regarded as the com¬ 
mands of God. The leaders, at first, were principally Spaniards, 
and were the tools of the Pope and King of Spain for execut¬ 
ing secret plots. Frequent assassinations proceeded from 
this source. No hardships were too great, and no place too 
remote for their action ; neither the extreme heat of the trop¬ 
ics, nor the frozen regions of the two extremities of the 
earth, were any bars to their efforts. They penetrated alike 
the most polished courts, the highest abodes of civilization, 
and the distant regions of the most barbarous races of men. 
A secret and wily espionage was continually observed upon 
the acts of all, and every movement that militated against 
their designs and the effect of their doings was speedily for¬ 
warded to Pome. 

The aspirations of the parties before described were awed 
into subjection during this reign, but exercised an influence 
which gave tone to its character. 

The persecution of the Huguenots was early renewed. In 
the precincts of Guyenne, Santonge, and Angoumois, where 
the Reform party were most numerous, the Duke of Guise and 
the Constable Montmorency were dispatched with armed 
forces, that for a time subjected the Huguenots, through the 
brutal slaughter of large numbers of those who adhered to the 
Reformed faith. 

At Paris several ministers and leading parties, convicted of 
preaching the new faith and giving encouragement to the 
same, were doomed to the flames. 

In these executions the king and court appeared at the 
scene to witness the sacrifice. 

While these rigid acts of intolerance were in exercise in 
France, Henry II did not hesitate to send troops to assist the 
Protestants in the Netherlands, while Charles V was using 


30 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


the most rigorous measures to suppress the Reformation among 
the people. 

The result of this foreign war for France was favorable to 
this reign, as well as advantageous to the Protestants in Ger¬ 
many. By the terms of the peace concluded in 1552, called 
the “ Treaty of Passau,” the cities of Metz, Toul, and Verdun, 
which had been under the protectorate ol the emperor, but 
not an integral part of his empire, were now retained in pos¬ 
session of France, greatly to the mortification ol Charles V; 
and, although he soon after struggled hard to regain them, 
they have ever since remained as a part of the French king¬ 
dom till the late war between France and Prussia, when some 
part or all passed to the latter power, as is believed. 

The ill success of Charles V in his endeavors to suppress 
the Reformation, being compelled to conclude this favorable 
treaty, granting tolerance to the heretics, the loss of these 
cities, and the presto of his arms, in his endeavors to recap¬ 
ture them, was no doubt the cause of his abdication, and finally 
led to his death at the monastery of St. Just, in Estremadura, 
September 21, 1558, at the age of fifty-eight. His son, Philip 
II, continued the wars of his father against Henry II, and 
renewed the war of persecution against the Protestants of the 
Netherlands; these wars were carried on with great effort on 
both sides, and by Philip with inhuman severity.* 

Henry II, naturally inclined to a life of ease and pleasure, 
was induced, even with some sacrifice, to relieve himself of 
these foreign wars, and secure a peace with the King of Spain. 
Fortunately for this object, Mary Tudor, Queen of England, 
died while this attempt at peace occurred. This released 


* Philip II, son of Charles V, of Germany, was born at Valladolid, Spain, May 21, 1527. 
He married Mary of Portugal in 1543, who died in 1545, after the birth of her son. His 
second marriage was with Mary Tudor, of England, in 1554, who died childless in 1558; he 
married Elizabeth of France, in 1559, who died in 1568; when, in 1570, he married Anne of 
Austria, daughter of Maximillian II, who became the mother of his successor, Philip III. 
He died, September 13,1598, aged seventy-one. 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


31 


Philip II from a marriage which had brought no favorable 
results to his kingdom, and there was no prospect for a mar¬ 
riage with Elizabeth, the successor to the English crown. 

With the negotiations for this peace in 1559 he solicited 
and obtained the hand of Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of 
Henry II, then in her fourteenth year, who had been pre¬ 
viously pledged in marriage to his unfortunate son, Don 
Carlos, the only child of his first wife, Mary, the infanta of 
Portugal; and, as an additional bond of peace, Piedmont was 
surrendered to the Duke of Savoy, who was to receive in mar¬ 
riage Margaret, daughter of .Francis I, sister of the King. 

As might be expected, great preparation was made to cele¬ 
brate these nuptials and peace. 

And as there were a large number of noted persons from 
Spain and Savoy who were friends and firm adherents of the 
Romish church, the bishops and leading Catholics of France 
proposed to the king to make an exhibit of his devotion to 
the Papal cause by taking severe measures for suppressing 
the increasing progress of the Reformation, and this particu¬ 
larly in respect to the marriage of his daughter to the King 
of Spain. 

The Bourbon princes of the blood, Anthony, King of Na¬ 
varre, in right of his wife, and Henry, Prince of Conde, by 
the influence of Francis, Duke of Guise, and his brother, the 
Cardinal of Lorraine, had been wronged and kept from the 
court in the former and present reign, which accounts for 
their enmity to that family ; and, as the Guises were sustained 
by the Catholics, it explains the reason for their favoring the 
Huguenots. 

The Queen of Navarre, Jane de Albret, had from early 
youth been trained in the faith of the Reformed by her 
mother. 

With such examples in the royal family, great encourage¬ 
ments had been given to the hearts ol the Protestants; when 


32 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


Henry II, deemed it his duty at this time, being relieved 
from the heavy duties occasioned by the late wars, to make 
an earnest effort to suppress the advancing cause of the 
Reformation. 

For this purpose he was encouraged by the bishops and car¬ 
dinals to strike a blow upon persons of note who held high 
places in the government. Several counselors had favored 
toleration to the Protestants in his presence. These and many 
well-known Protestants were ordered to be arrested, and were 
tried and condemned for heresy, and sentenced to be burned 
at the stake. 

The ambassadors of several Protestant princes in Germany 
petitioned the king for a mitigation of their sentence, but 
their petitions were not regarded. Great consternation fell 
upon the Huguenots by the severity of this movement, and 
they began to regard their condition as almost hopeless; but, 
in the midst of this despondency, while the splendor and 
magnificence of the celebration was in progress, a tournament 
war held on the 29th of June, 1559, in which the king was 
engaged, and, as was to be expected with the courtiers who 
participated, the sovereign gained the laurels. 

Henry II, elated with his success, called upon the captain 
of his Scotch guards, Count Montgomery, to appear in this 
trial of skill with the lance, there being two yet unbroken. 

The count endeavored to be excused, and the queen used 
her efforts to dissuade the king from renewing the encounter. 
But Henry insisted; when the combatants rushed upon each 
other, and the king, by receiving a splinter from Montgomery’s 
lance in his left eye, fell upon the ground, and was immediately 
.taken to his palace, where, after eleven days, he expired, 
July 10, 1599, aged forty-five.* 


* Henry II had the honor, in his reign, of taking from England the last foot of French 
soil which that power held in France. Calais, which England had held over 200 years, was 
besieged by Francis, Duke of Guise, and restored to France, January 8, 1558. 




REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


33 


This sudden calamity placed a new phase upon the condi¬ 
tion of the condemned Huguenots. The termination of this 
reign before their sentence was executed, set them free. 

His eldest son, Francis Hercules, Duke of Alencon, now 
came to the throne, at the age of sixteen years, as Francis II. 

This may properly be said to be a crisis in the kingdom of 
France ; instead of one central head in the government, factions 
ruled. The great wars for foreign territory and glory in the 
field had ended with Henry II. The three succeeding reigns, 
continuing until Henry IV came to the throne, and closing 
the House of Valois, presents a government of weakness, per¬ 
secution, and confusion. Civil war prevailed a large portion 
of this period—about thirty years. The noted parties hereto¬ 
fore described, controlled alternately the affairs of the king¬ 
dom. The closing of the reign of Henry II was also a crisis 
in the Reformation in France ; up to this time the friends of 
reform had struggled without any stated declaration of their 
principles; but now, like the German Protestants in publishing 
the Confessions of Augsburg, they became an organized body. 

A national synod was held in Paris in 1559, by the lead-, 
ing ministers of the Calvinistic churches. A confession of 
faith and rules for the government of the Reformed churches 
were adopted and published. 

This bold step evinced, not only an unshaken confidence in 
the righteousness of their cause, but an unmistakable deter¬ 
mination to maintain it. 

Their proclaimed object in sending forth these confessions 
of faith was similar to that of the Germans—to refute misrep¬ 
resentations of their religious faith, which had been spread 
abroad by the Papists, and to make known their real sen¬ 
timents. 

These confessions contained forty articles,* set forth with 


* See Rev. John G. Lorimer’s History of the Protestant Church of France, republished 
by the Presbyterian Board of Publication, Philadelphia, in 1842; pp. 24-35. 



34 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


great clearness. It is said that Calvin took part in forming 
these confessions, or counseled, as Luther did with Melanc- 
thon, in forming those of Augsburg. 

This act of the French Protestants, not only strengthened 
and confirmed the faith of those who had united in support of 
the Reformation, but it led many others to join with them. 

It is represented that when the general synod met at 
Rochelle in 1571, twelve years from the date of its first 
organization in 1559, the French Protestant church had ad¬ 
vanced to its highest point of prosperity. The presiding 
officer at this meeting was the noted French Reformer, Theo¬ 
dore de Beza. It is stated that he reported the number of 
their churches at this time to be 2,150. Among the many 
noted persons present at this synod were Jane de Albret and 
her son, Prince Henry, afterwards Henry IY, of France ; 
Henry, Prince of Conde ; Prince Louis, Count of Nassau; 
and Admiral Gaspard de Coligny.* 

Francis II, in 1558, the year preceding the death of his 
father, married Mary Stuart, of Scotland ; she was the daugh¬ 
ter of James Y, who died about ten days after her birth, 
December, 1542. She was crowned Queen of Scotland, Sep¬ 
tember 9, 1543, and having by her mother been betrothed to 
the dauphin of France, was sent to that court at the age 
of six years, and received her education and formed her char¬ 
acter there. At the time of her marriage she was about the 
age of her husband. 

Her mother was Mary of Lorraine, daughter of Claud, the 
first Duke of Guise, and the founder of that family, then con¬ 
spicuous in France. 

Mary Stuart, the young queen, was a beautiful and intelli¬ 
gent person, while her husband was weak physically and 

* See W. S. Browning’s History of the Huguenots, chapters 3 and 4, inclusive. Lori- 
mer’s historical sketch of the Protestant church of France ; also Nath’l Wm. Wraxall’s His¬ 
tory of France, in the reigns of Francis I and Henry II; likewise Menzel’s History of Ger¬ 
many, in the reign of Charles V. 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


35 


mentally. She was the admiration of the French court; but, 
by her confiding character, became the dupe of her uncles, 
the Guises; and they, in this short reign, through her influ¬ 
ence over the king, governed the kingdom. 

The persecutions against the Protestants were in this reign 
carried on with increased severity; courts of ecclesiastical 
judicature were established with inquisitorial powers ; the 
strictest search was made to discover any departure from the 
Romish faith; and all religious offenders were brought to 
severe punishment. 

The Protestants, by this rigorous course, were driven to a 
state of despair. They were liable at any moment to be 
brought before this court upon suspicion, or even doubtful 
evidence, and many were condemned as heretics, and made to 
suffer an ignominious death. 

The Guises were justly regarded as the chief cause of this 
sad state of affairs. This rigid course against the Protestants 
caused them and their friends to unite for a common defense; 
and their first step for protection was to take the young king 
away from the influence of the Guises. In attempting to seize 
the king and Catherine de Medici, his mother, they were dis¬ 
covered before their plans were matured, when about 1,200 of 
these conspirators were put to death. 

This act of the Protestants was, no doubt, an extreme meas¬ 
ure, but deemed necessary under the desperate condition of 
their affairs. This was called the “ Conspiracy of Amboise,” 
which occurred on the loth of March, 1560. 

Though neither Louis, Prince of Conde, nor Coligny, had 
at this time declared themselves the head of the Protestant 
party, yet they were known to have favored the doctrines of 
Calvin. In the following August, when the court and nobility 
held a meeting at Fontainebleau, Coligny and many of his 
friends being present, he presented to Francis II a petition un¬ 
signed, in which a toleration was demanded for the professors 


36 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


of tlie Reformed faith, addingtliat though as yet no names were 
affixed, still, whenever his majesty should he pleased to signify 
his pleasure, it would he instantly signed hy 150,000 persons. 

This act of Coligny offended the Guises, and was the com¬ 
mencement of that bitterness that from this time continued 
between these parties.* 

The conduct of the Guises displayed such haughtiness and 
bitterness against Anthony, the King of Navarre, and Louis, 
Prince of Conde, that they did not appear at the court at 
Fontainebleau. This was regarded by the Bourbon princes 
as a design to entrap them, and they were not long left in sus¬ 
pense in that respect, as they soon learned that the Duke of 
Guise and the Cardinal of Lorraine were determined on their 
destruction. 

With this view the Guises had induced Francis II to call a 
council at Orleans, and had the Bourbon princes summoned 
imperatively to appear. After much hesitation and urging, 
the King of Navarre and his brother, the Prince of Conde, 
and also the admiral and his brother, d’Andelot de Chatillon, 
appeared at the court about the same time. Although the 
strongest assurances of protection had been given them, the 
Prince of Conde was immediately arrested and with much 
haste tried and condemned to be beheaded as a rebel. Great 
exertion was used with Francis II for an arrest of this judg 
ment by his friends, especially by his mother and the Princess 
of Conde. At last, the Guises were appealed to, when they 
replied, “ We must with one blow cut off the head of both 
heresy and rebellion.” 


* Gaspard de Chatillon, Admiral Coligny, born, February 16, 1517, was murdered in Paris, 
August 24, 1572, a victim of the St. Bartholomew Massacre. He was author of the French 
military code. For his bravery while in command against the emperor, Charles V, he was 
appointed by Henry II, Governor of Picardy, and received the title of Admiral. He was the 
principal military leader of the Protestants up to the time of his death. In the reign of 
Charles IX he made several unsuccessful attempts in planting Protestant colonies in 
America; that in Florida, in 1562, was the movement which led to the founding of St. Augus¬ 
tine, the first European colony in North America. 




i 



jjy 




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«r 

admiral od ibance. 


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REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


37 


The complete destruction of the Protestants was to follow. 
It was believed by the Catholics that if the leaders and the 
Bourbon princes, their supposed chief reliance for counsel and 
defense, were cut olf, the suppression of the Reformation in 
France would be easily accomplished. 

Francis II and his mother, Catherine de Medici, were pressed 
on with haste by the Guises to make this general slaughter, 
and no appeals for mercy could induce the king to interpose 
against this terrible measure. But Catherine, possessing more 
forecast, saw that, with the destruction of the Bourbon prin¬ 
ces, the admiral, and their friends, the balance of power, upon 
which her safety depended, would be lost, and she and the 
king, and the succession in her family, would be in the hands 
of the Princes of Lorraine ; but so long as Francis II ruled, 
the Guises overpowered her influence. 

Nothing but the sickness of Francis II prevented the im¬ 
mediate execution of this wicked and bloody scheme. The 
king died the 5th of December, 1560. This not only relieved 
the Bourbon princes and the Protestants from the contem¬ 
plated butchery, but closed this reign, and, for a time, the in¬ 
fluence of the Guises in the French court. 

The second son of Henry II and Catherine de Medici now 
came to the throne at the age of ten years, as Charles IX, 
with his mother as regent. * 

Catherine de Medici now, for the first time, had the oppor¬ 
tunity to gratify her love of power. For a time she ruled the 
kingdom, and, for the first time, gave full scope to her unscru¬ 
pulous character. Her self-reliance was equal to her oppor¬ 
tunity. She treated with neglect or severity all who pre¬ 
sumed to interfere with her plans. 

The influence of Mary Stuart in the French court was now 
at an end, the young ex-queen having, by the death of Francis 
II, her husband, and the superseding of the Guises by her 
mother-in-law, De Medici, been shut out from participating in 


38 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


the affairs of court, and furthermore treated with coldness by 
the regent, soon began to prepare her plans for returning to 
her own kingdom of Scotland. 

She embarked at Calais, and arrived at Leith, in Scotland, 
August 19, 1561, having been absent in France about thirteen 
years. 

Great was the change of affairs in her kingdom during her 
absence. Instead of the Romish, church and French influ¬ 
ence prevailing, the Reformation had been established, and 
the stern John Knox was the leading spirit. The happy days 
of the youthful “ Queen of Scots ” having now passed, severe 
trials encompassed her path, which she encountered with 
much spirit for a period of about seven years, full of stirring 
events, then withdrew, very unwisely, to England, where 
Queen Elizabeth, after about twenty years’ imprisonment, 
caused her to be beheaded at the age of forty-five years.* 
Catherine de Medici, trained from her early childhood 
a Papist, did not scruple to tamper with the pride and influ¬ 
ence of the Guises, by calling to her aid the Bourbon princes. 
Anthony, King of Kavarre, was requested to aid the new 
government with his council; while the able but tolerant 
(Chancellor l’Hopital was continued in the court; and further¬ 
more to counteract the great influence of the Guises, Prince 
Louis of Conde, who had been set at liberty, was again ad¬ 
mitted to court in January, 1561. These steps favored much 
the cause of the Protestants, and now the subtle queen-regent, 
fearing to give too much power into the hands of the Bour¬ 
bon princes and their friends, which included the Protestant 


* Mary Stuart, daughter of James V, of Scotland, was born, December, 1542, her father 
dying about ten days after her birth. She became queen in 1543, at the age of about nine 
months; removed to France in 1548, and married the dauphin, Francis, in 1558; and in 
1559, by the death of Henry II, became Queen of France. Returned to Scotland in 1561; 
married Lord Darnly in 1565; her only child, born in 1566, was James VI, of Scotland, 
who, on the death of Queen Elizabeth, became James I, of England. Darnly was killed in 
1567; she married the Earl of Bothwell same year; fled to England 1568; was imprisoned 
about twenty years, and was beheaded in 1587. 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


39 


party, began again to solicit the favor of the Princes of Lor¬ 
raine. At this point came the strife between the two great 
parties which now divided the kingdom. Catherine, fearing 
the great power of the Papists, who were led by the Guises, 
decided in their favor, apparently for the time, but still held 
on to the friends of the Protestants, vacillating between the 
two extremes, in order to neutralize the power of each. 

At this juncture of parties, the Guises formed a union with 
the Constable Montmorency, who had hitherto favored the 
Bourbon princes and the admiral, and to these was united 
the Marechal de St. Andre. This union took the name of the 
“ Triumvirate.” 

Under this state of parties the ceremony of the coronation 
of Charles IX was performed, May 15, 1561, at Rheims. 
Now was brought about an apparent reconciliation of Francis, 
Duke of Guise, and Louis, Prince of Conde, the great leaders 
of the two factions at this time. 

An ecclesiastical assembly was summoned to meet at Poissy, 
which took the name of a conference, through the influence 
of the Pope, instead of a council. 

At this assembly the Cardinal of Lorraine was to advocate 
the claims of the Romish church, while the able Theodore 
de Beza supported the side of the Protestants. The only 
effect of this was to widen the existing differences upon reli¬ 
gious faith. It was found useless to continue the discussion, 
when it was agreed that a commission of five from each party 
should be selected to confer upon the points in dispute. Both 
sides now composed confessions of faith, which were recipro¬ 
cally rejected, and finally the conference closed, each party 
flattering themselves that they had gained by the assembly; 
still the difference in matters of faith had in no respect been 
changed or settled; but the Papists, by bribery, had strength¬ 
ened their cause by buying over Anthony, the King of Na¬ 
varre, greatly to the disgust of his former friends. 


40 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


The Protestants received protection from the queen-regent 
at this time, and propagated their doctrines with much suc¬ 
cess. This caused the Papists to complain of their public 
preachings, and in some parts where the Protestants were not 
very numerous, commenced to use force to protect their re¬ 
ligion from such opposition, when reprisals ensued on the 
part of the Protestants, and the whole kingdom presented a 
state of anarchy. 

To attempt to relieve the country from the disordered state 
of religious affairs, the chancellor called a meeting of the 
nobility at St. Germain, at which time, in his speech, he in¬ 
troduced the following wise remarks : 

“Dost the interest of the state require the permission or the prohi¬ 
bition of the meetings of the Calvinists? To decide, it is not necessary 
to examine religious doctrines; for even supposing the Protestant religion 
to be bad, is that a sufficient reason for proscribing those who profess it? 
Is it not possible to be a good subject without being a Catholic or even 
a Christian? And can not fellow-citizens differing in their religious 
opinions still live in good harmony? Do not, therefore, fatigue your¬ 
selves with inquiring which of the two religions is best; we are here, not 
to establish a dogma of faith, but to regulate a state.” 

These liberal ideas were in advance of that age ; yet their 
reasonableness had the effect to produce the well-known tol¬ 
erant edict of January 17, 1561-’62. Tkis granted the Prot¬ 
estants the privilege of exercising their religion outside the 
towns, but unarmed. Their ministers were forbidden to criti¬ 
cise the ceremonies of the Catholic religion or to hold any 
synod without permission of the court, or to travel from town 
to town to preach, but to confine themselves to one church; 
this was to continue until a council should assemble to decide 
the questions in dispute. 

This edict was considered a triumph for the Protestants, 
but received with gloomy silence by the Romish church. It 
was recorded as law in the different precincts of the kingdom. 

The Pope’s legate and the Spanish ambassador at the French 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


41 


court made great effort to induce the queen-regent to evade 
this edict, and to dismiss the admiral and his brother, d’Ande- 
lot, from the court; and when the queen gave as a reason for 
not complying, “ that the Calvinists were a powerful party,” 
the ambassadors made an offer of troops to support her. 

The Guises, who had kept aloof from the assembly of 
St. Germain, influenced the Triumvirate to collect troops 
during the following winter, and to seize on the king’s 
person in the spring. 

It being understood by Coligny that the design of the 
Catholics was a civil war (headed on their part by the Trium¬ 
virate), he united with the Prince of Conde, and called on 
him to make a public profession of the Protestant religion, 
which he did. 

The excitement of the Papists by the influence of the Pope’s 
legate against the meetings of the Huguenots, now began to 
cause many murders of Protestants in unprotected districts. 

The Duke of Guise was summoned by the Catholics to 
appear at Paris, as the queen-regent continued closely con¬ 
nected with the Huguenots. This movement was in February, 
1562. 

In March following, while the Duke of Guise was passing 
through Yassy, the Huguenots were assembled for divine 
service; and, while he expressed great indignation at the 
independence of the Huguenots, and visited a Catholic 
church with a part of his followers, the others hastened to 
the Protestant church, and* commenced an attack upon the 
audience. The Catholics spared neither sex nor age, and 
during this fanatical attack about eighty of the Huguenots 
were murdered. This caused great indignation throughout 
the kingdom. The Duke of Guise was stigmatized with the 
title of the Butcher of Vassy. 

This was the first aggressive step which led to the religious 
wars, which were carried on with great barbarity and desola- 
4 


42 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


ting effect for over thirty years. Actual hostilities by the 
military forces on each side began in the latter part of June, 
1562. These wars favored alternately one side and the other, 
the power of the throne not being able to restore peace. 
The Triumvirate, to secure their power more fully, seized the 
young king and kept him under their protection, making their 
acts as a matter of defense for the crown, and to show that 
their opponents were rebels. 

The condition of affairs in the kingdom was such during 
the year 1562, that the Huguenots had no other choice left 
them but to either surrender at discretion, leave the king¬ 
dom, or fight for their rights; and their leaders, the Prince 
Louis de Conde, the admiral, and his brother, chose the latter 
course. 

Through a period of about seven years, up to the close of 
the battle of Jarnac, the war had raged with intense hatred 
upon each side, when most of the leaders who were the cause 
of the war had perished. 

The deaths of these leaders were as follows : The King 
of Navarre, Anthony of Bourbon, lost his life at the siege of 
Rouen, September, 1562 ; the Marshal de St. Andre was slain 
in the battle near Dreux, in Normandy; while, in the same 
battle, Louis, Prince of Conde, fell into the hands of the 
royalists, and the Constable Montmorency was taken prisoner 
by the Protestants. This was a severe battle for the opposi¬ 
tion. Flushed with the hard-won victory at Dreux, the Duke 
of Guise determined to lay siege to the stronghold of the 
Protestants at the city of Orleans, and having nearly reduced 
the place, which must have surrendered in a few weeks, he 
was assassinated, February 18, 1563, by a private gentleman 
of Angoumois, named John Poltrot de Mere. This relieved 
the Huguenots. 

These terrible disasters did not soften the hearts of either 
side any further than to bring about a temporary peace. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


43 


Admiral Coligny was accused of effecting this assassination ; 
but it is quite clearly proved by history that be was not guilty 
ot this atrocious act; yet the son of the duke, Henry III, 
Duke of Guise, vowed perpetual enmity against him as his 
father’s murderer. 

By the peace succeeding this battle the Prince of Conde 
and the Constable Montmorency were released to their re¬ 
spective parties. 

During this peace, concluded in 1563, the regent, Cath¬ 
erine de Medici, caused the palace of Tournelles, at Paris, to 
he demolished, and erected in its place the present noted 
palace of the Tuilleries. 

The death of the Duke of Guise put an end to the power¬ 
ful and noted Triumvirate, and by this event Catherine de 
Medici was left without any restraint upon her schemes of 
advancement. Her chief plan now was to lull the Huguenots 
by pomp and display, and to demoralize them by her duplic¬ 
ity, in endeavoring to create discord among their principal 
men. 

Her chief effort in this respect was to seduce from the Prot¬ 
estant party their most influential leader, the Prince of Conde, 
and, for a time, her plans had the effect to demoralize his habits 
and character; but a timely and friendly interview with his 
friend,-Coligny, who forcibly remonstrated with him on the 
pernicious consequences, public as well as personal, of his 
continual deviations from decorum, had the good result of 
leading him to accept these truths, acknowledge the justice of 
these expostulations, and devote himself with firm adherence 
to their cause. 

During the quiet of the country under this peace Cath¬ 
erine planned for the young king a tour through many 
provinces of the kingdom, attended by a brilliant display of 
courtiers, apparently to show to his subjects the young 
sovereign. 


44 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


The characteristic tone of the queen’s disposition was dis¬ 
played in the preparations made for this journey. Besides 
the courtiers and a brilliant collection of ladies, who joined 
in this tour, were the Duke of Anjon, the eldest of the king’s 
two brothers, and Margaret, his youngest sister, who after¬ 
wards became wife of Prince Henry of Navarre, accompanied 
by Catherine, who directed all the movements of the party. 

The court, after traveling through several provinces, and 
giving the most lavish and brilliant entertainments, arrived at 
Bayonne in June, 1565. 

Here took place the celebrated interview between Charles 
IX and his sister Elizabeth, the Queen of Spain, who was 
conducted to the Spanish borders by a splendid train of the 
nobility of her court, at the head of which Philip II had 
placed the noted Duke of Alva, and the Count de Benevento. 

Here the river Bidassoa, the dividing line of the two king¬ 
doms, separated the two royal parties on their arrival. 
Catherine, impatient to embrace her daughter, crossed over to 
meet her, while Charles waited to receive his sister personally 
at Bayonne. The interview continued for three weeks with 
all the pomp and magnificence for which the exquisite taste 
of the queen-mother was so remarkable. While pleasure 
seemed to engross every thought of all, and all enmity and 
party differences appeared for the time to have been suspended 
and forgotten,, a continued series of interviews were kept up 
during these festivities between Catherine de Medici and the 
Duke of Alva, as has been asserted, on the subject of extirpa¬ 
ting the Huguenots. Intimations of these plans soon came to 
the knowledge of the Huguenot leaders, which created such 
distrust that it was not in the power of the court or the artful 
display of the queen-mother to dispel. Soon after this noted 
interview these displays terminated. 

The conduct of the court was such during the year 1566 
that the edicts of toleration and protection for the Huguenots 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


45 


were little respected by the Papists; while the appeals for 
redress of wrongs received from the Protestants were in no 
adequate manner heeded. These grievances of the Calvinists 
were frequently brought to the notice of the Prince of Conde 
and the admiral. 

They were slow to act, both desiring, if possible, to avoid a 
renewal of the direful calamities of another civil war. Soon 
after, however, receiving information that it had been de¬ 
termined by the court to seize on them both, to detain the 
prince in perpetual imprisonment, and to put Coligny to 
death, they were obliged to prepare measures for their pro¬ 
tection. It was resolved to begin by an attempt to get pos¬ 
session of the young king. This, at first, did not appear diffi¬ 
cult to accomplish; but Catherine, having received intelli¬ 
gence of the approach of the Prince of Conde and Coligny, 
suspected their intentions, and hastily retired to the city of 
Meaux. Montmorency was dispatched to meet the Hu¬ 
guenot chiefs, and to discuss propositions for the relief of the 
Protestants, to gain time for Catherine to provide for the 
defense of the sovereign. While the Constable Montmorency 
proposed to the queen and her advisers moderate measures, 
and to leave the king in his quietness at the city of Meaux, 
the Cardinal of Lorraine, more violent, advocated the removal 
of the king to Paris, which latter advice having prevailed, 
immediate steps were taken to effect this object; and, although 
the party received repeated attacks from the cavalry of the 
Huguenots, the court’s plans were successful. 

Ineffectual negotiations succeeded; both parties, inflamed 
with bigotry and hatred, were not in a condition to listen to 
any acceptable terms of peace. 

War was again inaugurated by an attempt of the Huguenots 
to lay siege to Paris. The Prince of Conde and Coligny 
commanded the Protestants, while Montmorency, an old 
veteran soldier, headed the royalists. A battle was fought *on 


46 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


the plains of St. Denis ; and, although the victory fell to the 
superior number of the royalists, the old Constable Mont¬ 
morency here lost his life. When about to expire by his 
severe wounds received in this battle, he was approached by a 
Franciscan friar, wearying him with religious exhortations in 
his last moments, which induced from the old soldier the 
memorable reply: 

‘ ‘ Dost thou imagine that I have lived to near fourscore years without 
having yet learned to die a single quarter of an hour ?” 

He was the last of the old school whose counsels had any 
effect upon Catherine de Medici. He alone could have ven¬ 
tured to inspire the young king to reign independent of his 
mother’s counsels ; his death gave her an unlimited career for 
the exertion of her pernicious influence over the mind of 
Charles IX. It is said that the natural qualities of the char¬ 
acter of Charles IX fitted him for an able prince, if it had not 
been corrupted by his mother, in whom he had unlimited 
confidence. Soon after the ill success of the Huguenots 
before Paris, they were reinforced by German auxiliaries, 
led to their aid by Cassimir, son of the Elector Palatine— 
while the important city of Rochelle declared in their favor 

The French and Germans, composing the Huguenot force, 
formed a numerous army, which, in February, 1568, com¬ 
menced a siege of the city of Chartres. While before this 
propositions of peace were proposed by Catherine, which 
were finally accepted on the 2d of March following. This, 
however, was but temporary, it being a plan to effect the 
seizure of the Prince of Conde, or to do that by deception 
which could not be reached by honorable means. 

By a seizure of the great Calvinist leaders while deluded 
by the terms of the late peace, Catherine hoped to make an 
easy conquest of the rank and file of the believers in the Re¬ 
formed religion, and thus compel a return to the Romish church. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


47 


This treacherous movement, when known, only tended to 
arouse the Huguenots and to strengthen their cause. 

A general assembly of the Huguenots was held at the city 
of Rochelle, which now became the principal seat of the 
Protestant power. 

The armies, greatly strengthened, again took the field in 
March, 1569, when was fought on the banks of the river Cha- 
rente, in the province of Angoumois, a severe battle, known 
as the battle of Jarnac. This was a victory for the Catholics, 
and made memorable by the death of the able leader of the 
Huguenots, Prince Louis, of Conde. After being wounded 
and made prisoner, he was assassinated by a captain of the 
Duke of Anjou’s guards, who discharged a pistol-ball into the 
prince’s head, which instantly killed him. 

The court and Romish church were now fully persuaded 
that by the death of Conde the whole Huguenot faction could 
be easily destroyed. 

But they had not in this judgment fully weighed the prin¬ 
ciples which governed the Reform party, nor correctly ap¬ 
preciated the ability of Admiral Coligny, upon whom the 
leadership now fell. Although the Prince of Conde was able 
both in the field of war and in the councils of the kingdom, 
yet he was not attached to the religious principles of the 
Calvinists like Coligny. The admiral now gave all his at¬ 
tention to gathering up and strengthening his forces, and in 
this effort he received great support from the intelligent and 
able Jane de Albret, Queen of Navarre, who had inherited 
the genius and elegance of her mother, Margaret of Yalois. 
She, in company with her son, Prince Henry, journeyed from 
her residence at Nerac to Rochelle, where she harangued the 
troops drawn up for that purpose, and Coligny was immedi¬ 
ately declared General-in-Chief of the Huguenot forces under 
the Prince of Navarre and his cousin, Henry, the young Prince 
of Conde. 


48 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


The great rejoicing of the court over the death of Conde, 
and the elated spirit of the Papists, was soon found to he pre¬ 
mature. The Huguenot army, under Coligny, became more 
formidable than ever before. 

Each of the contending parties renewed the strife with in¬ 
creased zeal, and with alternate success and defeat, until nearly 
every province of the kingdom became desolated by the ravages 
of war. 

Anarchy and confusion were general throughout the land. 
When least expected, Admiral Coligny, reinforced by English 
and German auxiliaries, re-appeared on the 25tli of January, 
1570, in the heart of France, at the head of an army which 
menaced even the crown. 

The imperial army was powerless to stay the progress of 
the Huguenot legions; while the royal treasury was empty, 
the country exhausted, and unable to afford supplies for addi¬ 
tions to the royal forces. 

The wily Catherine, under these circumstances, again sought 
for terms of peace. 

She always, more in her true element in exercising her 
powers of diplomacy rather than in war, hoped to accomplish 
in time of peace what she could not effect by force of arms. 

Her propositions were favorable to the Huguenots, and when 
embodied in a treaty which was concluded on the 15tli of 
August, 1570, she and the king solemnly pledged themselves 
to their faithful observance. Charles IX and his court be¬ 
came convinced that so long as the admiral led the Huguenots 
the royal army was powerless to enforce submission to the 
Papal church or order in the government; and submission to 
the toleration of the Reformed faith was apparently the only 
resort to preserve the royal authority of the kingdom in the 
present reigning prince. In this extremity of affairs Cathe¬ 
rine de Medici devised the scheme known as the “ Massacre 
of St. Bartholomew.” 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


*9 


In this plan she received into the counsel of herself and her 
son, Charles IX, Henry, Duke of Anjou, and Henry III, 
Duke of Guise, who burned with hatred and revenge against 
the admiral, for his supposed complicity in the assassination of 
his father. 

This fatal plot was introduced by the marriage of several 
parties, got up for the purpose of attracting the attention of 
all the members of the nobility, both Catholic and Huguenot. 

The first preliminary for confirming the bonds of this peace 
was the marriage of Margaret, sister of the king and daughter 
of Catherine de Medici, with Prince Henry, of Navarre ; this 
was the principal preliminary which was to draw the Hugue¬ 
nots into the snare she had designed for them. 

The young Duke of Guise attempted to raise obstacles to 
this match, as there was a mutual attachment between him and 
Margaret, and it has been said that they were at the time 
pledged to each other; yet this was given up by the influence 
of the king, who considered his sister as the principal instru- 
pient wherewith to deceive and allure Coligny and the Cal¬ 
vinist chiefs to repair to the court. Warned of the king’s 
sentiments, and desiring to revenge the death of his father 
upon Coligny, Henry, Duke of Guise, to release himself from 
Margaret, consented to a marriage with Catherine of Cleves; 
while the admiral was to be put in possession of the estates of 
his late brother, the Cardinal de Chatillon, and receive a pres¬ 
ent of 100,000 crowns to furnish the castle. 

After the marriage of the Duke of Guise to the Princess of 
Cleves, then came that of the king ; Catherine having in vain 
solicited the hand of Queen Elizabeth of England for her son, 
selected the Archduchess Elizabeth, daughter of the Emperor 
Maximillian II, to become Queen of France. She met the 
king at Mezieres in Champagne, where the marriage ceremo¬ 
nies were performed with great splendor, November 26, 1570. 
Her coronation was celebrated at St. Denis on the 25th of 
March following. 


50 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


Everything that could be devised to keep up a friendly in¬ 
tercourse with the Huguenots was continued. Coligny, the 
chief victim to be disposed of, was constantly called in to coun¬ 
sel with the king in reference to important court matters, and 
Charles IX went so far as to engage the admiral to arrange 
plans for advancing an army to the aid of the people of the 
Netherlands, against whom Philip II was then at war. 

Finally all arrangements were completed for celebrating 
the marriage of Henry, Prince of Navarre, with Margaret 
of Yalois. Gregory XIII, who succeeded Pius Y as the 
head of the Romish church, having granted the dispensation 
for this marriage, so long withheld by his predecessor, a day 
was fixed for the nuptials. 

In order to be present at her son’s marriage, Jane de Albret 
repaired to Paris, accompanied by the Princes of Navarre and 
Conde, June 5,1572 ; but while she was engaged in prepara¬ 
tion for the approaching ceremony a malignant fever put an 
end to her life after five days’ illness. 

The Queen of Navarre’s death, supposed by the Huguenots 
to have been caused designedly by parties in high position 
in the court, caused alarm, and many declined to repair to 
Paris. Coligny himself, dreading Catherine and the king’s 
treachery, instead of repairing to court, retired to his castle of 
Chatillon. It required new artifices to allure him from his 
retreat. The hostilities against Philip II in the Netherlands 
were commenced, as had been talked of between him and the 
king, which was the strongest assuraiice of the friendship of 
Charles in his favor. The admiral finally yielded against his 
judgment, and arrived in Paris, accompanied by a great num¬ 
ber of the Huguenot nobility. 

The marriage of Henry, Prince of Conde, with Mary of 
Cleves, sister to the duchess, the wife of Henry, Duke of Guise, 
having been solemnized, that of his cousin, the King of Navarre, 
was fixed for the following month, as the last and crowning act 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


51 


to aid in closing the contemplated tragedy. Every demonstra¬ 
tion of friendship of the most cordial character was given in 
favor of the Huguenot nobles and their celebrated leader. 

The inhabitants of Rochelle, who had received so many acts 
of friendship and evidences of the firmness of Coligny in sup¬ 
port of the Calvinistic faith against the Papists, could not be 
convinced of the sincerity of Charles IX and his mother in 
their sudden change from bitter hostility to such acts of amity 
and affection, and repeatedly warned Coligny not to rely upon 
their pretensions. 

The city of Rochelle was now the stronghold of the Hugue¬ 
nots ; here they received their military aid and supplies from 
abroad. The trade and commerce of this place was scarcely 
second to any other city in the kingdom. 

It is a matter of little surprise that the inhabitants of Ro¬ 
chelle should have manifested at this time great concern for 
the welfare of the leaders of the party on whom their religion, 
safety, and prosperity so much depended. 

Their admonitions, however, were not heeded, and Coligny, 
with other leaders of note who had become distinguished for 
their defense of the Reformed religion, fell a sacrifice to the 
duplicity of Catherine de Medici. 

The crowning act which was to lead to this sacrifice of the 
Huguenot nobility was now to he consummated. The mar¬ 
riage of Henry of Navarre with Margaret of Yalois was 
finally fixed for the 18th of August, and to be solemnized at 
the church of Notre Dame in Paris. 

The bride, now in her twentieth year, possessed remarkable 
accomplishments, with great personal beauty. She appeared 
peculiarly fitted for this occasion. Her disposition and man¬ 
ners gained for her the friendship of the principal associates 
of the bridegroom and the Huguenot nobility, who had formed 
her acquaintance. 

All things now gave place to this joyous occasion, which 


52 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


was held forth as the cementing act that was to allay past 
prejudices and unite in a lasting bond of peace the two great 
religious parties. 

At this point, when everything seemed to give evidence of 
great friendliness among both parties, there was an attempt, 
by a concealed person, to assassinate the admiral in the street, 
as he was passing to his lodgings.* This unlooked-for act 
startled the Huguenots, and, for a time, was regarded as a 
secret plan countenanced by the court, which had the effect to 
nearly defeat the remaining part of the acts in this wicked 
programme. It required the most adroit management of 
Charles and his mother to prevent the Huguenot nobility 
from an immediate departure from the city. They both mani¬ 
fested the greatest sympathy for Coligny, and assured him that 
the guilty party should be speedily brought to the severest 
punishment. 

The daily visits of the king upon Coligny to inquire for his 
health, and to counsel upon the military operations now con¬ 
stantly proposed to be carried on in the Netherlands against 
their great enemy, Philip II, of Spain, led the admiral to de¬ 
cide to remain ; yet a number of his friends who believed this 
act upon the life of Coligny, as well as the death of the Queen 
of Navarre, to be but a part of some treacherous scheme for 
their destruction, could not be prevailed upon to remain 
through the prolonged festivities, but immediately left the city 
for their homes. 

Thus the time had arrived, and no further delay could 
serve their interest for more favorably executing their de¬ 
signs upon the confiding and defenseless Huguenot guests; 
such being the case, it was decided that the slaughter should 


* This assassin was a man named Maurevel, infamous for acts of this character before this 
time. He placed himself at a window on the opposite side of the street, and discharged his 
piece with two balls, which struck the admiral in both arms. The criminal escaped on 
horseback. 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


53 


commence, and accordingly, at two o’clock, on Sunday morn¬ 
ing, the 24th of August, on the eve of St. Bartholomew, in 
1572, the signal was given by the hell of the church of St 
Germain de l’Auxerrois. 

The preparation and conduct of the massacre was committed 
to Henry III, Duke of Guise, as being animated with a pecu 
liar detestation of the admiral, whom he regarded as his 
father’s assassin. 

Although Charles had entered into the spirit of the plot 
through the influence of his mother, when the time arrived it 
was with difficulty that she wrought upon his mind to bring 
him to a decision for giving the signal; and even when he 
heard the sound of the bell that was the watch-word for begin¬ 
ning the dreadful act, he was seized with new remorse, which 
was increased by the report of some pistol-shots in the street. 
Overcome with emotion, it is said he sent instantly to com¬ 
mand the leaders not to put the design into execution till fur¬ 
ther orders, but it was too late. 

The work was already begun, and the messengers brought 
back word that the people had become furious, and could no 
longer be restrained from exercising their vengeance. 

While this massacre was going on in Paris similar prepara¬ 
tions had been made throughout the kingdom in all the prin¬ 
cipal towns and cities, and everywhere the Huguenots fell 
victims to this inhuman and treacherous plot. 

In Paris the venerable Coligny was the first sacrifice, when 
assassination followed, until, as history relates, 500 noble¬ 
men and 6,000 other Protestants were put to death in Paris 
alone. 

The slaughter throughout the kingdom has been given by 
some historians at 30,000 ; while Sully says over 70,000 were 
put to death before this inhuman order was revoked. 

In many instances the perpetrators of these fiendish acts 


54 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


were not satisfied with taking the life of the Huguenots, # but 
inflicted upon their bodies barbarous acts of mutilation. 

The body of Coligny, when mortally wounded, was thrown 
from the window of his bed-chamber into the street, where 
the Duke of Guise and his friends severed the head from the 
body, and after dragging his mutilated form through the street 
his head was carried to Catherine de Medici; after this the 
hands were cut off, leaving the disfigured remains upon a 
dunghill, which were finally placed upon a gibbet and roasted 
without being consumed. 

In this condition, it is reported, .the king and several of his 
court went to survey it; and, as the corpse had become ex¬ 
ceedingly offensive, Charles, imitating the sentiment attributed 
to Vitellius , remarked, “ The body of a dead enemy always 
smells well.” The remains of Coligny were, after all these 
indignities, taken down privately from the gibbet on a very 
dark night by order of the Marechal de Montmorency, and in¬ 
terred, with the utmost privacy, in the chapel of the castle of 
Chantilli. 

Henry, King of Navarre, and his cousin, the Prince of 
Conde, were exempted from this carnage, though not without 
a violent debate among the instigators of the scheme. Charles, 
having ordered them both into his presence, commanded them, 
with menaces, to abjure their religion on pain of instant 
death. 

The King of Navarre obeyed, but the Prince of Conde, 
more firm, obstinately refused to renounce his religious princi¬ 
ples ; but, on the threats of Charles to take his life, he was 
terrified into submission, and wisely complied with the neces¬ 
sity of his situation. 

There were a few other distinguished persons who escaped 
with their lives among the Protestants, through the special in¬ 
terposition of wives or friends, but otherwise the massacre 
was without distinction as to age or character. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


55 


Charles at first shrank from the awful responsibility of 
sanctioning this wholesale assassination, and thought of throw¬ 
ing it upon the Duke of Guise; but seeing this could not ex¬ 
culpate him as the chief of the government, but increase the 
odium of his character, he openly avowed himself as the prin¬ 
cipal perpetrator. 

The king and court consoled themselves for the sacrifice of 
so large a number of the Huguenots with the idea that it was 
not possible for them, now destitute of their leaders, to rise 
again with any force against the government. But in this 
they had greatly misjudged the true character of their Prot¬ 
estant subjects. Instead of yielding to the wishes of the crown, 
they stood firmly on their defense, erected anew the standard 
of revolt, and, in many instances, were soon again victorious 
over the royal forces. 

Rochelle, the stronghold of the Calvinists, shut its gates and 
prepared for the contest against any besieging force of their 
enemies. The city now became the principal theatre of civil 
war, which, after a long and bloody struggle by the royal 
forces, commanded by the Duke of Anjou, the king’s brother, 
was abandoned, and a treaty of pacification again made with 
the Huguenots throughout the kingdom on the 26th of June, 
1573. 

This peace and abandonment of the siege of Rochelle was 
facilitated, no doubt, by the election of the Duke of Anjou as 
King of Poland, which was effected, through the influence of 
the French court, to please Charles IX, who had now become 
jealous of his brother’s popularity, and desired to rid him¬ 
self of his presence, that he might rule with greater inde¬ 
pendence. 

The king suffered greatly in his health at this time, which 
has been attributed to the remorse of conscience he suffered 
from permitting himself to be drawn into the tragic act of 
St. Bartholomew. 


56 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


Tlie King of Navarre and Prince of Conde had been held 
as prisoners under the surveillance of the court since the mas¬ 
sacre; but, in 1574, the latter made his escape to his Hugue¬ 
not friends, then already engaged in another civil war. 

The distracted state of affairs of the kingdom increased 
the perplexities of Charles IX, and hastened on the disease 
which terminated his life and reign, May 30, 1574. 

During the last two years of this eventful reign the king is 
reported to have suffered conscientiously in contemplating the 
baseness of the acts that effected this massacre, and it has been 
asserted as a belief that, had his life been continued, he would 
have excluded from his presence at court all who had urged 
their advice in favor of that desperate scheme. 

The Prince of Conde, after his escape from the imprison¬ 
ment of the court, placed himself at the head of the opposition 
at Metz, Toul, and Yerdun, on the frontiers of the kingdom, 
where he could with facility receive the German forces, which 
favored the cause of the Huguenots. 

In addition to this movement on the German frontier, there 
was a serious division of sentiment among the principal 
members of the court. The Duke of Alencon was seeking to 
advance his interests to the detriment of the Duke of Anjou, 
then King of Poland, and rightful successor to the throne. 

With these complications came the death of the Cardinal of 
Lorraine, a person who had exercised great influence in favor 
of the Romish church, and had opposed with unrelenting bit¬ 
terness the toleration of the Protestant religion. 

Such was the state of the kingdom when the King of 
Poland was informed of the death of his brother, Charles IX, 
and that he was to ascend the throne of France as Henry 
III. For that purpose he quitted his palace in Poland in 
disguise, on the night of June 18, 1574, greatly to the dis¬ 
satisfaction of that people, as well as compromising his own 
declared purposes. After about three months’ delay in mak- 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


57 


ing his journey, he arrived in France early in the month of 
September following. 

Henry III was the favorite son of Catherine de Medici, 
and had participated in the councils for the Massacre of 
St. Bartholomew. 

On his return, the Duke of Guise and his mother were his 
chief counselors, who urged again the persecution of the 
Huguenots. Little, however, was accomplished; the division 
of sentiment among the leaders in court offered but a weak 
support to plans adopted. 

The kingdom was divided into factions ; at the head of one 
was the Duke of Alencon,the king’s brother, while the Duke 
of Guise was aspiring to the throne. 

For about two years after Henry III came to the throne 
the King of Navarre was continued a prisoner of the govern¬ 
ment, but was regarded by the king, his brother-in-law, with 
great confidence as a friend and adviser. 

There was an honesty of purpose with the King of Navarre 
that found no parallel in the court of Henry III; this incurred 
the enmity of the Papists, and being constantly misrepresented, 
and his life placed in danger, he found it necessary for his 
safety and the protection of his principles to escape from the 
presence of the court, and to unite his efforts again with his 
Huguenot friends. This he effected in February, 1576, when 
he proceeded to Metz, and united with his cousin, the Prince 
of Conde, and his German allies. 

This union, in the factious condition of the royal court, 
presented a formidable opposition of power, and in May fol¬ 
lowing opened the way for terms of peace favorable to the 
Protestants. 

This treaty, called the “ Edict of Pacification,” gave great 
dissatisfaction to the Romish church. The king was denounced 
as a weak prince, incapable of sustaining the cause of that 
religious body. This unfriendliness for the king arose through 
5 


58 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


the friends of the Duke of Guise in his aspirations for the 
throne. These friends united together in condemnation of 
this treaty, and formed what was known as the “ Holy 
League,” and demanded of the king a continued persecution/ 
of the heretics, in violation of the late edict of peace. 

These infringements of the treaty opened again the civil 
war in March, 1577, which was carried on with great weakness 
and mismanagement on both sides, and terminated in a treaty 
at Bergerac, in September following. This edict included sixty ■ 
four articles, drawn up with great care, and called the “Edict of 
Poictiers.” It made the Pomish religion predominant, al¬ 
though it granted the Huguenots the right of public worship. 

The weakness of the king, and the intrigue of Catherine de 
Medici, soon destroyed all confidence in any protection from 
the treaty at Poictiers. The kingdom was now divided in 
its movements by three factions : the Duke of Guise, again 
supported by the Holy League; the King of Havarre, sup¬ 
ported by the Huguenots ; while the king’s licentious conduct 
offered but a weak support to the throne. 

The movements of these factions were called the “ War of 
the Three Henries.” Thus factious distraction continued with 
alternate peace and war, till the death of the Duke of Alencon 
in June, 1584, left the King of Navarre presumptive heir to 
the throne of France. 

The bitterness of the Papists against the Huguenots was 
now greatly intensified with the prospect that the government 
of the kingdom would fall into the hands of the Protestants. 

The League now regarded the Duke of Guise as their hope 
for the succession; while Catherine de Medici sought to have 
the crown descend to the children of her daughter, the 
Duchess of Lorraine,* alleging the disqualification of the 
King of Navarre by reason of his religious faith. 


* The Duchess of Lorraine was Claude, second daughter of Henry II and Catherine de 
Medici. It was her son, Marquis de Pont, that Catherine desired to place on the throne. 




REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


59 


Henry III whs not long ignorant of these devices and spec¬ 
ulations, and the plotting of the League and the Duke of 
Guise for placing him in the line of succession; nor was he 
ignorant of the labors of the Papists in his dominions against 
the legitimate succession in lavor of the King of Navarre. 
He regarded the Duke of Guise now as the greatest obstacle 
in the way for restoring the peaceful rule of the kingdom in 
his behalf. 

The position of the king at this time was such that he was 
under the necessity, for the preservation of his throne, and 
even his freedom, to enter into a treaty humiliating to himself, 
by granting increased power to the Duke of Guise and his 
favorites. This was called the “ Edict of July,” brought 
about by the exertions of Catherine de Medici on the 21st of 
that month, 1588. 

This arrangement bore the character of pacification between 
the Duke and Cardinal of Guise, favored by the League and 
the king and his friends. 

This apparent friendship was but a mockery ; it was evident 
that the strife still continued between the king and the party 
of the Guises. The Romish church still favored the Duke of 
Guise in opposition to the king, ridiculing his character and 
acts, and using their efforts to weaken his authority in the 
minds of his subjects. 

This, under the semblance of friendship, was well known to 
the Guises, and was a part of their plan for supplanting the 
king for his lack of severity in pushing a war of extermination 
against the Huguenots. 

Under these circumstances Henry III had but a choice of 
evils. To adopt the plan of the League and the Duke of 
Guise, he must place the power of the government in their 
hands, which was equivalent to an abdication of the throne. 
On the other hand, to retain his power as the supreme head 
of the kingdom, he saw no way but to remove the Duke of 


60 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


Guise; and, for this purpose, he summoned a council of his 
friends to deliberate upon the best course to adopt. 

The result was, that, inasmuch as the influence of the Guises 
with the League was so great, it was not possible to bring 
them to a legal trial for their treasonable acts, it was neces¬ 
sary to take extraordinary means to relieve the government 
from their power. It was decided to take the life of the Duke 
and Cardinal of Guise by assassination, which was effected on 
the 22d of December, 1588. 

The act here perpetrated, horrible to contemplate, was but 
a natural exhibition of the education and training received in 
a court conducted under the influence of Catherine de Medici. 
The deceptive edict of 21st of July, 1588, termed the Edict 
of Union , but more properly the edict of death, was the last 
political act of that remarkable woman. She died, January 5, 
1589. 

Bernard, the speaker of the State Assembly, remarking of 
the character of this period, said : 

4 4 Blasphemy is the ordinary conversation of many, and adultery is 
their recreation; magic employs their minds, and occupies their curi¬ 
osity ; and simony is their common trade. Thus the splendor of justice 
is dimmed, good customs are perverted, virtue is banished, and vice 
placed in authority; while rapine strides through the kingdom with an 
unfurled standard.” 

The effect of this barbarous act of assassination produced 
great excitement throughout the kingdom. Instead of de¬ 
stroying the League and subjecting the opposition to his rule, 
there was a general detestation of the act by all his Papist 
subjects, and an increased enmity on the part of the Papal 
See of Pome. 

The quarrel between the League, which had been led on by 
the Guises-and Henry III, was one between the friends of the 
Pomish church, and, for a time, liberated the Huguenots par¬ 
tially from Papist persecution. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


61 


Henry, Prince of Conde, had sickened and died, March 6, 
1588, during the progress of this quarrel; while the King 
of Navarre had stood aloof and counseled, so far as his influ¬ 
ence could effect, for peace and submission to the rightful 
authority of the king; and, after the tragic death of the 
G-uises, he published his determination to join the king, if 
called upon to stay the continued unlawful acts of the League. 

The continued opposition of the League gave the peaceful 
counsels of the King of Navarre great weight in the mind of 
Henry III, and led him to seek terms of reconciliation with 
him and the Huguenots for his continuance upon the throne. 
The union of Henry III and Henry, King of Navarre, was 
consummated by a treaty effected by Duplessis Mornay, con¬ 
cluded, April 3, 1589, when, by an arrangement, the two kings, 
met and embraced, April 30, following. Thus, by this union, 
the military forces of Henry of Navarre were now united with 
the royal army of France in support of the supremacy of the 
crown against Papal faction, controlled by the League and 
Romish church. 

The Pope, in exercising his influence against the king, ex¬ 
communicated him from the Papal church; the ecclesiastics 
redoubled their efforts to inflame the prejudices of the Papists- 
against the king ; while the united forces of the crown and 
Prince of Navarre were now pressing forward to besiege 
Paris, and to take possession and expel the League, which 
had held possession since the famous Edict of Union, of 
July, 1588. 

Henry III, the last of the House of Valois, while thus en¬ 
gaged in his attempts to possess himself of his capital and 
chief city, was assassinated by a young Dominican monk, 
named Jacques Clement, August 2,1589. This reign was now 
closed, and his brother-in-law, the King of Navarre, was, by 
right of succession, entitled to the throne of France as Henry 
IV, and as first of the royal House of Bourbon. 


62 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


Now was commenced a furious war, conducted by the Holy 
League, in support of the Papal faith, against the succession 
to the crown by a Protestant prince. It raged with great 
vigor—supported on the part of the Papists by Philip II, of 
Spain, who furnished troops and money with the determina¬ 
tion of compelling Henry of Navarre to relinquish his right 
to the crown; and on the side of the King of Navarre sub¬ 
stantial aid was received from several princes of Germany and 
the Netherlands, and also from Queen Elizabeth, who favored 
the Protestant cause. 

It was not until the 17th of February, 1594, that Henry IV 
was able to solemnize the reception of the crown, which lie 
did at the city of Chartres, amidst great rejoicing by large 
numbers, both Papists and Protestants. 

This reception of the crown was witnessed by the Protest¬ 
ants not with unmixed joy. They were aware that this suc¬ 
cess was not wholly the result of the success of their faith, for 
the king of their choice had publicly renounced their religion, 
abjuring Protestantism the 25th of July, 1593, at St. Denis. 

The hopes of the Protestants were, however, favorably ex¬ 
cited ; the King of Navarre having been educated in their 
• faith, and having joined with them in fighting for the cause of 
toleration, they could reasonably expect from him a protector, 
if not a defender of their religion; nor were they wholly 
disappointed. 

The king yielded to what he deemed the exigency of the 
times, and became nominally, and, perhaps truly, a Papist. 
He was not opposed to persecution only, but he favored 
toleration. He regarded the welfare of his subjects too much 
to be controlled by the narrow ideas of a bigot. 

Henry IY gave evidence of his wisdom and tolerant ideas 
by granting for the protection of the religious faith of his sub¬ 
jects, on the 13th of April, 1598, the celebrated “ Edict of 
Nantes.” 







M 


E53rmir tw * 

OF TFLAJSI'C'E . 






















































REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


63 


This was a remarkable advancement of ideas for the age in 
which it was published. It contained higher principles of 
statesmanship than were to be found anywhere else at that day. 

It gave the Protestants liberty of conscience and free exer¬ 
cise of their religion ; free access to all places of honor and 
dignity ; liberal sums of money to pay off their troops; an 
hundred places as pledges for their future security ; and certain 
funds to maintain their ministers and garrisons. This edict 
was declared perpetual and irrevocable.* 

The religious wars that had desolated France with but little 
intermission for a period of over thirty years, beginning in 
1562, were, by the firmness and wisdom of Henry IY, at last 
closed. His attention was now directed to the advancement 
of the foreign and domestic affairs of his kingdom, and all 
branches of industry, science, literature, and art, received lib¬ 
eral encouragement. 

In 1599 he procured a divorce from his wife, Margaret, and 
married Mary de Medici, niece of the Grand Duke of Tus¬ 
cany. This marriage secured to his kingdom several provinces 
on his eastern frontier, and the influence of the Italian princes. 
France greatly prospered under his enlightened and liberal 
statesmanship. 

Henry IY planted the first French colonies in America, that 
at Port Hoyal, now Annapolis, in Nova Scotia, in 1605, and 
that of Quebec, on the St. Lawrence, in 1608—both established 
by eminent Huguenots. The Reformed churches now enjoyed 
peace, and greatly prospered. Their universities flourished, 
and education, the foundation of the Protestant religion, was 
now largely advanced. The provincial and national synods 
of the Huguenots were regularly convened, .and were mul¬ 
tiplied, and his subjects were generally happy under a well- 
regulated and impartial government. 


* 8ee Weiss’ History of French Protestant Refugees, vol. n, p. 335. 





64 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


This impartiality was not satisfactory to a selfish priesthood ; 
any privileges granted the Protestants were odious to them, 
and all such acts were treated by the Romanists as heresy 
against their church. 

Stimulated by jealousy and bigotry, they sought for and 
took his life by assassination, May 14, 1610. The party who 
perpetrated this act was named Francis Ravaillac, supposed 
to have been the instrument of the Jesuits. It was but 
another instance of the barbarity of the times. 

The position of Henry IY was peculiarly embarrassing ; 
opposed in some respects by all parties, and not unfrequently 
by the Protestants, who had received especial favor at his 
hands. They conceived -the idea that their rights were not 
sufficiently respected ; while the Papists complained of his 
tolerance of heresy. 

His private life was, in many respects, censurable ; but his 
public acts in managing the affairs of his government were 
firm and decisive; he tempered them with justice and wis¬ 
dom. 

However heavy the calamity of this king’s death was upon 
the nation at large, it fell with peculiar force upon the Hugue¬ 
nots. While he abjured their faith, he protected it for them. 

Sully, the chief minister and counselor of Henry IY, has 
described his character in the following glowing language : 

“He was candid, sincere, grateful, compassioned, generous, wise, 
penetrating, and loved by his subjects as a father.” 

His firmness in maintaining the Edict of Nantes, called the 
“ Edict of Peace,” is exhibited in his demeanor to his parlia¬ 
ment in the following language, which amply shows that he 
was determined that established laws should be respected: 

“You see me here in my cabinet, not as the kings, my predecessors, 
nor as a prince who gives audience to ambassadors—but dressed in my 
ordinary garb as a father of a family, who would converse with his 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


65 

children. I know there have been parties in the parliament, and that 
seditious preachers have been excited. I will put good order into these 
people. I will shorten by the head all such as venture to foment fac¬ 
tion. I have leaped over, the walls of cities, and I shall not be terrified 
by barricades. I have made an edict, let it be observed. My will must 
be executed, not interpreted.” 

This language may seem despotic; but it was adapted to 
the times and to the genius of his parliament. 

With all his foibles, Henry IY was a great ruler, and did 
more for the prosperity of France than any monarch who 
had preceded him. 

In this age of civil liberty, protected and regulated by 
known laws and an equal toleration of the most varied forms 
of religious faith, it is difficult to coficeive of the true state of 
civil and religious affairs in the century following the era 
of the Reformation. The lower strata of the people was in a 
degraded state of servile ignorance, with their minds excited 
to extreme hatred against those who differed from them in 
their religious sentiments. The word of the Papist priest¬ 
hood, in matters of faith, was to be respected as divine law, 
without a question as to its truth or propriety. 

With the princes, nobles, and priesthood, self-aggrandizement 
and power was the controlling element in their actions. The 
relics of the feudal system were clung to by many of the nobil¬ 
ity. Thus there were several distinct interests struggling for 
perpetuity and ascendancy; that of the nobles, to perpetuate 
their influence over their serfs; the priesthood, to sustain the 
claims of the church, which had become the means of a profli¬ 
gate support; and royalty, demanding supremacy over all. 

The great mass of the people were but tools to be used as 
circumstances required, and their religion was the lever by 
which they could be most easily moved. This accounts for 
the tenacity with which each of these parties adhered to their 
religious traditions. 

This was the condition of affairs, when Henry IY came to 


66 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


the throne of France. Pure religious faith, as now understood 
in this the nineteenth century, but rarely existed; generally it 
was but a pretext to advance private interests, connected with 
ambitious and selfish purposes. 

His object was to restore order and respect for a govern¬ 
ment of law and the individual rights of all parties; and, in 
attempting this radical change he did much; but he made an 
almost fatal error in the terms of the Edict of ISTantes, wherein 
lie granted to the Huguenots military and political rights, 
operating as a power distinct from the royal head. 

It is not easy to account for this permission of power, unless 
it be supposed that he had doubts of his success in continu¬ 
ing the supreme head, and that this power was placed with 
his former friends as a resort under contingent circumstances. 

The Protestants were now a formidable power in the king¬ 
dom; their organization was that of a representative republic 
in the midst of the royal government; their religious system 
was vested in consistories, conferences, provincial synods, and 
national synods. 

Each church or consistory formed a democratic council, 
composed of the minister, deacons, and elders. It met every 
week, and deliberated upon the division of funds received from 
its members; it corrected offenses committed by those con¬ 
nected with the church, particularly those contrary to eccle¬ 
siastical discipline; decided whether the cases came within 
the rule of private exhortation or public excommunication, and 
in case of disobedience referred them to the conference. 

The conferences assembled every three months. They 
were composed of two deputies from each church of a certain 
district. There, were decided the matters which the first 
council could not determine; there, were regulated the 
sums to be sent to Protestants persecuted for religion’s sake ; 
there, were censured the elders, deacons, students of divinity, 
and ministers who had failed in their duty; and there, were 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


67 


excommunicated members of the churches deemed guilty of 
such punishment. 

The provincial synods assembled every year. Each con¬ 
ference was represented by two deputies; they treated upon 
all the affairs of the province; they examined students who 
wished to be promoted to the ministry. There, they con¬ 
firmed the estimates of the salaries of the pastors according 
to the sums received in the collections by the churches; 
there, they assigned to each parish its minister, and determined 
upon the choice of professors of theology. 

The general or national synods were convoked every three 
years; but political circumstances often prevented them from 
meeting. These assemblies were composed of lay and eccle¬ 
siastical deputies from all the provinces of the kingdom. 
This assembly was organized by electing a president by a 
majority of votes. Their duties were to judge and determine 
all appeals from the provincial synods, to decide without appeal 
all questions of theology and discipline, and the decisions 
there rendered had the force of laws in all their churches. 

In the first half of tlie seventeenth century there were in 
France 806 Protestant churches, divided into sixteen provinces 
and sixty-two conferences. The national synod, which was the 
general council of the Calvinistic church, met twenty-nine 
times in the space of 100 years. The first was held in 1559, 
in Paris, and the last at Loudun, in 1659. 

The Edict of Nantes permitted these general assemblies, 
but upon the express condition that they should be authorized 
by the king. Without that authority they lost their legal 
character, and were reputed seditious. 

Nine general assemblies were held after the edict was pro¬ 
mulgated up to 1629 ; but those held in the years 1617,1618, 
1619, and particularly one held at Rochelle in 1620, were 
illegal and revolutionary in character, and which, as will sub- * 
sequently be related, lost to the Huguenots all their political 
liberties given them by this edict. 


CHAPTER II. 

r j HIE foregoing has shown the progress of the Calvinistic 
faith in France from its feeble beginnings and its strug¬ 
gle through persecution and civil war, until, by perseverance 
and the force of circumstances, it arose to a formidable power 
in the state, and became an extensive religious body. 

The object of this chapter is to continue its history, and 
exhibit the causes of its degeneracy, tracing it down to the 
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIY, the 18th of 
October, 1685. 

The first step tending to the injury of the Protestant cause 
in France was produced by those who assumed to be their 
political leaders. This was the result of the error committed 
by Henry IY in according to them political rights and military 
power. 

It was the abuse of these rights and powers which lost to 
them the respect of many as a religious body ; and, instead of 
drawing to their standard such as had favored their cause, and 
would have joined them as a strictly religious body, this inter¬ 
ference in matters of state induced such to withdraw their 
support. Yet their final destruction as such a body was by 
long and systematic persecution. 

On the death of Henry IY, his son, a child only nine years 
of age, became king, as Louis XIII; his mother, Mary de 
Medici , as regent. They both, on the 22d of May, 1610, de¬ 
clared that the Edict of Nantes should be held inviolable. 

Also, when Louis XIII became of lawful age, October 1, 
1614, he confirmed his previous declaration in favor of this 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


69 


edict, with the additional assurance that those who infringed 
it should be punished as disturbers of the public peace. 

In the following year, on the 12th of March, 1615, when it 
was proposed in the parliament to supplicate the king for the 
preservation of the Romish religion, by driving out from the 
land under his rule all heretics denounced by that church, he 
declared it to be his purpose to hold the edict inviolable, and 
added that, 

‘ ‘ He experienced a lively sorrow on account of the contention which 
had arisen among the Roman Catholic deputies of the House of Peers; 
that each of the deputies had declared separately, and afterwards 
collectively, that they desired the observance of the peace established by 
the edict.” 

He further remarked, 

‘ ‘ That he was persuaded by the experience of the past that violence 
only serves to increase the number of those who secede from the church, 
instead of teaching the way to re-enter it.” 

And on the 20th of July, 1616, the substance of the fore¬ 
going was repeated. 

Louis XIII was married, at the age of fourteen, to Anne of 
Austria, daughter of Philip III, of Spain, whose mother was 
an Austrian princess. There is ample evidence to show that 
this reign was commenced and continued several years with 
the desire to maintain in good faith the Edict of Nantes. 

It is also quite clear that the great mass of the French 
people desired to continue the peace which was the result of 
the observance of the peace edict. But the political leaders 
among the Huguenots were professors of that faith, generally, 
for the advantages to be derived from the spoils of office, and 
made it their business to excite the masses for selfish objects; 
while the ultra Romish priesthood acted from similar motives. 

The division of the kingdom into provincial synods by the 
Protestants, originally designed to facilitate the management 
of their religious affairs, and for dividing their church offices, 


70 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


and selecting them from different sections of the country for 
the purpose of harmonizing their proceedings, was perverted 
into a political combination co-extensive with the realm. 

Each of these divisions, which were denominated provinces 
(there being fifteen in number), was entitled to send members 
to the general synod for deliberation ; but, by the terms of 
the edict, these general synods could be convened only by the 
sanction of the king, and if otherwise held, they were deemed 
illegal and seditious. 

One of these assemblies, held at Saumur, in May, 1611, was 
a formidable political body—a legislative assembly of seventy 
deputies, divided in position as follows: thirty nobles, twenty 
ministers, sixteen elders, and four delegates of the city of 
Rochelle. In addition to the aforesaid parties, there were 
many other persons of distinction, who were present by invi¬ 
tation. All these members held their seats by election from 
the people of the district to which they belonged. They 
composed a representative republic within the limits of the 
kingdom, and had their army, navy, and fortified places, with 
garrisons. 

As they increased in power they asserted rights not sanc¬ 
tioned by the edict by which they claimed to exist. 

With a formidable organization like this, and with the reli¬ 
gious jealousies existing between the Papists and Protestants, 
it was not easy to prevent collisions and riotous assemblies to 
disturb the peace of the kingdom. 

The result was such an encroachment upon the royal govern¬ 
ment, that it compelled the king to summon to his aid the 
military power, in 1620, to restore order. This was the inau¬ 
guration again of civil war. 

Besides the illegal assemblies that the Protestants frequently 
held, and in face of express injunctions from the king against 
them, they extended their power by forming alliances with 
foreign governments. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


71 


It can not be denied that the Huguenots greatly injured 
their condition by assuming illegal powers, and by a factious 
interference with the royal authority, until they made them¬ 
selves obnoxious to just principles of government. Such was 
the condition of affairs when Cardinal Richelieu was installed 
the first minister of the crown in 1623. 

The first object of this able minister was to suppress the 
civil war, and to take measures for depriving the Huguenots 
of all political rights claimed under the Edict of Nantes; to 
suppress their garrisons, naval and military powder, and to 
place the entire political, naval, and military strength of the 
kingdom in the crown. 

The signal ability of Richelieu was manifested by the firm 
and decisive measures he now adopted and carried to comple¬ 
tion. 

In his religious faith he was a Romanist; but he rose above 
religious prejudice; his object was not to war against the 
Reformed religion, nor to deprive the Huguenots of protection 
for their faith and worship, permitted by the provisions of this 
edict. 

The Reformed, who were styled Huguenots, he believed, had 
justly forfeited their political rights, under the edict, by hold¬ 
ing irregular assemblies and by a factious interference with 
the royal government. 

The stronghold of the Huguenots was now the city of 
Rochelle, which, at this time, contained a population of about 
30,000 souls, supported by a powerful army and navy, aided 
by a numerous fleet, furnished by Charles I, of England, who 
had married Henrietta, sister of Louis XIII, then on the throne 
of France. 

Richelieu, by his military operations, had reduced the armies 
of the Huguenots in the provinces, and had confined them to 
the fortified city of Rochelle, to which he laid siege with his 
army and navy in 1627. They were supported by many Ger- 


72 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


man recruits, as well as the English fleet, then under the 
command of the Duke of Buckingham. 

This siege continued with great vigor through a period of 
about fifteen months, when the population of that city was 
reduced to about 5,000 inhabitants, then in a state of great 
destitution, at which time liberal terms were proposed by the 
cardinal for them surrender, which having been accepted, the 
gates of Rochelle were thrown open, and possession taken by 
the royal troops, on the 30tli of October, 1628. 

The remaining Huguenot forces soon after yielded to the 
necessities of their condition, and a general treaty of peace was 
concluded at Alais on the 27tli of June, 1629, closing the last 
of the series of civil wars between Papists and Calvinists which 
commenced under the reign of Charles IX in 1562. 

The city of Rochelle, from 1568 to this time, had sustained a 
government independent of the crown, but was now deprived 
of all its separate political rights, and made entirely subject 
to royal authority.* 

From this time the Huguenots ceased to exist as a political 
body in the kingdom, but retained the right of exercise of 
their religion as established by the Edict of Xantes. Having 
now no occasion for political leaders, who had constantly 
brought them into collision with the royal government, they 
were relieved from that embarrassment which, during this 
reign, had injured their cause, and lessened the respect which 
the community at large had entertained for their faith, and were 
left to direct their attention wholly to their religious affairs 
and their industrial pursuits; when at the close of the reign 
of Louis XIII, March 14, 1643, they were among the most 
enterprising, orderly, and wealthy inhabitants of France. 

They were respected at home for the austerity of their morals, 
their industry, and their irreproachable loyalty ; while they 

* See Weiss’ History of French Protestants, vol. I, chap. 1; also Browning’s History of 
the Huguenots, chap. 57, 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


73 


maintained great probity of character in tlieir commercial re¬ 
lations abroad. 

The tendency of their religions faith led to the promotion 
of education as a principle; thus they became superior in sci¬ 
ence, literature, and the arts, which caused them to be watched 
with a jealous eye by their Romanist opponents. 

Such was the state of political and religious affairs in France 
when Louis XIV, a child of five years of age, became king in 
1643. His mother, Anne of Austria, became regent, and the 
death of Cardinal Richelieu taking place, December 4, 1642, 
his assistant minister, Cardinal Mazarin, succeeded to his high 
position. 

After the treaty at Alais in 1629, through the remaining 
premiership of Cardinal Richelieu, and to the death of Cardi¬ 
nal Mazarin in 1661, the toleration of the Calvinistic faith was 
all that could reasonably be expected from the manner they 
conducted themselves towards the Papists. 

In the provinces, where either party had any considerable 
ascendency over the other in character and numbers, there 
were frequent collisions that at times required the interposi¬ 
tion of the civil government, and sometimes military power, 
to maintain peace and order. 

But so far as loyalty to the government was concerned, the 
words of Cardinal Mazarin give ample evidence in their favor 
in that respect. It has been said that during the civil war in 
that kingdom, extending from 1648 to 1653 (called the “ War 
of the Fronde”), “ had it not been for the loyalty of the Hugue¬ 
nots and their support of the crown* there would have been 
danger of a disruption of the royal government.” It appears 
the Protestants were amply protected by Mazarin; but yet it 
is evident that they did not increase in numbers during this 
period of uninterrupted protection and peace, from 1629 to 

* See Burnet’s history of his own times, alluding to Cromwell’s sending an agent (Stroupe) 
to ascertain the loyalty of the Huguenots, book i, edition 1850, pp. 47-50- 

6 





74 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


1660, when Louis XIY took the reins of government into his 
own hands. 

This state of their condition as to increase of numbers is 
explained by the fact that nearly all the nobility and politi¬ 
cians, who had united with them while they maintained their 
political rights, now renounced Calvinism and united their 
fortunes with the Romish church to reap the advantages of royal 
patronage, as such favors were rarely granted to Protestants. 

Thus, when Louis XXV made his will the law of Pranee, 
there had been a period of over thirty years, ending in 1660, 
when the Protestants shared protection by the royal govern¬ 
ment the same as the Papists, if they did not receive ecpial 
favors. 

But, from this time, their condition changed, and it soon be¬ 
came evident that the king had come to the determination that 
all his subjects should bow as imperatively to one faith and 
one church as they now did to one head in civil law. In other 
words, the Romish church should rule in all matters of faith 
as his will ruled in civil affairs. 

Louis XIV’s ideas in this respect are indicated in liis re¬ 
marks to his son in 1670 : 

“ I believe, my son, that the best method of reducing the Huguenots 
of my kingdom is by moderation. In the first place not to harass them 
in the smallest degree by any new enactments against them, to observe 
strictly all privileges obtained by them from my predecessors, but to 
grant them no more, and of these to restrict the execution within the 
narrowest limits prescribed by justice and comity. 

“But, as regards graces, depending on myself alone, I resolved, and 
that resolution I have punctually observed, to grant them none whatever; 
and this from a spirit of amity rather than rigor, so as to compel them, 
without any violence, to consider within themselves whether it is for 
any good reason that they voluntarily deprive themselves of advantages 
which was in their power to share with the remainder of my subjects. 

“ I also resolved to bring over, even by means of recompenses, such 
as should show themselves docile; and to awaken as far as possible the 
zeal of the bishops, that they should labor to give them instruction and 
to remove the scandals which at times divide and repel them from us. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


75 


The foregoing scheme for proselytism shows the anxiety of 
the king’s mind regarding the faith of the Huguenots. Wlule 
the royal government was restricting their privileges to the 
narrowest limits, the priesthood were excited to exercise the 
extent of their ability in that direction. 

In order to secure converts against any relapse into their 
former faith, an edict was passed establishing severe penalties 
to be inflicted upon such as had renounced Protestantism and 
again returned to that heresy, as it was called; one of these 
penalties was perpetual banishment from the kingdom. 

The Protestant ministers were forbidden to expostulate with 
or exhort their converted brethren upon the maintenance of 
their faith, and the presence of such as had been converted to 
Romanism at their meetings was sufficient cause for closing 
their house of worship and dispersing their congregation. 

This edict opened the way for great injury to the Protestant 
churches, as any designing Papist could, by pretense, appear 
in a Protestant congregation with a view to its dispersion ; thus 
the number of their churches rapidly decreased, and their 
meeting-houses were razed to the ground. 

All former decisions of courts that infringed upon the relig¬ 
ious privileges of the Huguenots were revived and formed into 
a special code of law. These accumulated movements gave 
great alarm to this people. They began to apprehend from 
the edicts of 1666 a determination of the king for their entire 
ruin as a religious body. 

This feeling induced many of their ministers, whose congre¬ 
gations had been thus dispersed, to abandon their country with 
many of their religious friends of this class ; some found homes 
in the Netherlands, others in England, and many sought 
peace within the jurisdiction of the rising English colonies in 
America. 

When it was perceived by the king and court that these 
oppressive acts were depopulating many provinces of the 


76 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


kingdom, an edict was published in 1669, making it a penal 
offense for any Protestant who should be found attempting to 
leave the country. 

The Edict of Nantes had now existed over seventy years, 


and there were not the reasons for suppressing the religious 


privileges granted to the Protestants by this tolerant act that 
were claimed and used for annulling the political rights which 
the edict had conferred upon them. 

Louis XIY, as well as his chief ministers, both Cardinal 
Mazarin and Colbert, had, at different times, borne testimony 
of their peaceable demeanor, their intelligence and industrious 
habits. Thus it was neither the welfare of his subjects nor the 
advancement of his kingdom that was consulted in enforcing 
these severe measures against this class of his people, but the 
interposition of an unscrupulous priesthood and his own bigoted 


zeal, inflamed by his mistress,* De Maintenon, and his chief 
adviser, Francis de la Chaise.f 

Various edicts followed each other in quick succession; each 
depriving the Huguenots of some privileges formerly enjoyed, 
and which were still permitted to those of the Romish faith ; 
all calculated to make the weak and unscrupulous among the 
Reformed renounce for some special favor which otherwise was 


denied them. 

T1 le learned professions, as also mechanical trades, were ex¬ 
cluded from the Huguenots, and those who were skilled in the 
mechanic arts were forbidden to receive apprentices under 
their charge. The edict of 1666 forbid taxing themselves for 
the support of their ministers. 


* This mistress was the widow of Paul Scarron, a deformed comic poet, whose maiden 
name was Frances d’Aubigny. She was introduced into the king’s presence by Madame 
de Montespan, a former mistress, as an instructress and governess of her children by the 
king, whom she supplanted in his affections and received the title of Madame de Maintenon. 

t Pere la Chaise, a French Jesuit, thirty-four years confessor of Louis XIV, born, August 
25, 1624; died, January 20, 1709. He promoted the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes; the 
king built for him a country-seat, called “Mount Louis.” Its gardens are now the cem¬ 
etery Pere la Chaise, in Paris. 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


77 


These arbitrary acts of intolerance appear the more surpris¬ 
ing and wicked when it is considered that for a long period the 
Protestant religion had been sanctioned, and its right of wor¬ 
ship guaranteed by law ; and that during the two preceding 
reigns, and a period of seventeen years of the present reign, 
from 1643 to 1660, these guarantees had been respected; and, 
furthermore, there was no pretense that this religious sect were 
making any improper encroachment upon the Romanists, or 
infringing upon any legal rights which they did not possess. 

The objection was that they were Protestants, and stood firm 
by their faith; this was the offense for which they were, by 
arbitrary edicts, to be treated as criminals. 

As early as 1670 there is ample evidence to show that the 
design was to force the Protestants to renounce their faith, 
and return to the Papal church. 

To effect this, rigorous means were to be urged, until this 
renouncement was complete, when the edict would be of no 
further use, and be revoked as an obsolete law. 

At this time the Protestants of France were a numerous 
and systematical religious body; they had not only their reli¬ 
gious organizations, but extensively organized literary and 
scientific institutions, not inferior to any others in the king¬ 
dom ; and these were liberally endowed with funds for their 
maintenance, and had at their head men of the highest literary 
and scientific attainments in that country. 

Louis XIV* had now for ten years,from 1660 to 1670, made 
his will the supreme law of his dominions, and his prime 
minister, Colbert, had, by his wisdom and prudence in the 
management of the finances of the kingdom, added greatly 
to its prosperity. 


* Louis XIV, born, September 16, 1638, king in 1643, under the regency of his mother, 
Anne of Austria, declared of age 1651, and married Maria Theresa, daughter of Philip IV, 
of Spain 1660. His minister, the successor of Richelieu, died 1661. His independent career 
now began. His next ten years exhibited statesmanship; but thenceforth he became a slave 
to intemperate zeal and injudicious advisers ; he died in 1715. 





78 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


This date may be taken as the culminating point in the reign 
of Louis XIV; he was generally respected abroad as well as 
by his own subjects ; but the influence of Colbert, and his pru¬ 
dent measures, were no longer regarded; there was now an 
ostentatious display of power. Hitherto war had been waged 
mainly for political ends and the redress of apparent wrongs 
against the state ; but now, instead of the wise counsels of Col¬ 
bert, there came prominently upon the stage, for war minister, 
Louvois (Francis Michael le Tellier), who began his political 
life in 1667; and Madame de Maintenon, daughter of Con¬ 
stant d’Aubigny, and granddaughter of the celebrated Theo¬ 
dore Agrippa d’Aubigny, born, November 27, 1635; married, 
in 1652, at the age of seventeen, Scarron, “ a paralytic cripple, 
who, with his deformity, was popular and w T itty, and drew to 
his house the Wisest and best, as well as the profligate and 
lovers of pleasure.” 

In her early youth she was trained a Protestant; but, being 
educated in a school controlled by Papists, she was led to 
renounce her former faith and become a Catholic. 

From the period of 1670 the policy of the government, 
politically and in a religious point of view, was mainly directed 
to the support of the Romish church and the suppression of 
Protestantism. 

Louvois was an aspirant for popularity with the king, and 
was not insensible to his weak points—his libertinism, bigotry, 
and fondness for pomp and show. Thus his abilities were 
directed to taking advantage of these characteristics for His 
own advancement, and being selected as chief war minister, his 
influence sacrificed the best interests of the kingdom, reducing 
its character from the high elevation it had attained by the 
wise counsels of Colbert to a condition of general disrespect 
among the other governments of Europe. 

To the counsels of Louvois were added those of Madame 
de Maintenon and the king’s confessor, Pere la Chaise; the 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


79 


former a prude and bigot, seeking the favors of Louis XIY 
by her formal and straight-laced manner, until she effected 
her aspiration of becoming Queen of France, as his wife, but 
in disguise ; while the latter, a loyal Jesuit, alive to the ad¬ 
vancement of that order of the Romish church, hesitated at 
no means for making a sacrifice of all heretics that would not 
renounce and return to the Papal fold. 

Such were the counselors who directed the mind of Louis 
XIY, in its weakness, to make a sacrifice of his Protestant 
subjects. The seven provinces of the Netherlands, designated 
as the kingdom of Holland at this time, which had successfully 
withstood and maintained their liberty against all the power 
of Spain, were now the refuge of vast numbers of the persecuted 
Protestants of France, taking with them much capital, as well 
as many skilled artisans, depopulating many districts in that 
kingdom, and thereby greatly injuring its trade, commerce, 
and manufactures. 

This was a source of annoyance to Louis XIY, and a good 
pretext with the wily Louvois for encouraging a war for their 
subjugation. Belgium had already been overrun, and the 
Palatinate had been made desolate by fire and sword. 

This war (as also that of 1667) terminated in 1674 without 
effecting its object. Holland continued the asylum of the 
oppressed through the patriotic efforts of William, Prince of 
Orange, sustained by the unconquerable love of liberty of its 
inhabitants, which, through all past ages, has characterized 
that people. 

The wickedness of this war was only equaled by the relig¬ 
ious madness that raged throughout the kingdom. 

Holland had strictly observed its obligations with Louis 
XIY and his subjects; while the Huguenots had, since the 
treaty of Alais, continued loyal, peaceable, and industrious 
inhabitants. 

The determination of the king and the trio of advisers 


80 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


before referred to continued tlieir persecutions with increased 
zeal. Extraordinary means were taken to induce Protestants 
to renounce tlieir faith; rewards in money, as well as places 
of emolument, were freely offered; while acts were established 
with severe penalties for those who had renounced, and after¬ 
wards, on mature reflection, should return to their former 
faith, the Reformed religion. 

Those guilty of relapsing from Romanism to the Protestant 
faith were condemned to the galleys for life, and all Protest¬ 
ant ministers who permitted a relapsed convert to enter tlieir 
temples should be condemned to banishment, and tlieir goods 
confiscated. 

In 1680 an edict was established, maintaining that a meet¬ 
ing-house for Protestant worship could not be permitted in 
the vicinity of a Romish church, without scandal to that faith; 
thus all such Protestant meeting-houses were ordered to be 
razed to the ground, and not suffered to be rebuilt. 

To show the unjust partiality of the edicts, it was declared 
meritorious for a Protestant to renounce; and, furthermore, 
children of Protestant parents were, in 1681, permitted, at 
the age of seven years, to embrace the Romish faith, and even 
encouraged to do so, and the fathers and mothers of such 
children were forbid offering any interference. 

The proof of desire on the part of children to embrace the 
Romish faith was most trivial. It was in the power of any 
Papist to take from a Protestant family their children under 
this law, by asserting that such children had manifested a 
desire to join with a Romish church, that they had united in 
prayer, or made the sign of the cross. In either case the 
children were taken from their parents’ home, who, besides 
the loss of them, were compelled to pay for their support by 
a fixed pension in proportion to their means ; and these esti¬ 
mates of expense were arbitrarily fixed, which frequently 
proved the ruin of their estates as. well as their families. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


81 


Their synods were prohibited from receiving either legacies 
or donations for the support of their institutions; and all 
Protestant books that impugned in any way the Romish faith, 
or the measures designed for the overthrow of the Reformed 
religion, were condemned to be burned; and parties were 
commissioned by the royal government to search them out, 
that they might be destroyed. Finally, all theological books, 
papers, and other publications that favored Protestantism were 
ordered to be destroyed, and other like works w T ere not per¬ 
mitted to be printed. 

Their theological and literary institutions were, many of 
them, now closed, and the few that remained had their pro¬ 
fessorships limited, and their studies restricted within narrow 
range. 

These rigid measures against Protestant institutions of learn¬ 
ing and their books were designed, not only to suppress their 
religion, but to efface among them that superiority of literary 
culture which they possessed, and which inspired their oppo¬ 
nents with much jealousy. 

Thus oppression came in every possible way to induce the 
Reformed to renounce their faith. Those engaged in military 
affairs were refused promotion; pensions were withdrawn; 
their widows were declared deprived of all their privileges so 
long as they professed the Reformed religion. 

Protestants were deprived of their nobility, and made liable 
to taxation ; notaries and attorneys were ordered to sell their 
licenses; advocates were forbidden to plead, and physicians 
to exercise their profession; the same disability extended to 
midwives, and even seamstresses could not be employed who 
professed the Reformed faith. 

Louis XIY, at this time, had lost much of his physical 
vigor by his ungovernable licentiousness. His confessor, 
Pere la Chaise, seized this opportunity to impress upon his 
mind the great sinfulness of his past life, and the impor- 


82 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


tance of exercising his great power and influence in favor of 
the Romish church, which was then set forth as the embodi¬ 
ment of all pure religion. His bigoted ideas of this faith 
made him an easy prey to the proselyting schemes of his 
Jesuit confessor and his new flame, the sanctimonious Madame 
de Maintenon. 

The suppression of the Protestant religion within his king¬ 
dom was set forth, not only as a duty, but as the highest claim 
to his future salvation, tending to his peace of mind here and 
hereafter. 

His new favorite, Madame de Maintenon, in his councils of 
state, secured a position with him even to the exclusion of the 
queen. 

To such a degree did this aspiring and artful woman exer¬ 
cise her influence over the king, that even his confessor, Pere 
la Chaise, could find access to him only through her favors. 

She undertook to assist the confessor in effecting the king’s 
conversion, and, as stated, labored with him four hours daily. 
She discovered his weakness, and his desire to convert his 
Huguenot subjects to the Romish church. Her manners 
peculiarly fitted her, as an instrument in the hands of the 
confessor, to work out the ruin of his Protestant subjects. 
She now became his chief adviser in both civil and religious 
affairs. Her zeal daily increased her influence, and thus she 
was enabled to fan the flame of prejudice then raging against 
the Protestants. 

While the labors of the confessor and De Maintenon were 
in progress, buying the faith of the Huguenots, and otherwise 
forcing them to renounce, the minister of war, not to be out¬ 
done in promoting the desires of his king in acts for the con¬ 
version of the Reformed to Papacy, proposed the quartering of 
soldiers upon the families of Protestants in the districts where 
they most prevailed, proportioning the number according to 
their ability. 




REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 83 

The effect of this barbarous act at first caused large num¬ 
bers of the Reformed to renounce, as this course seemed to be 
the only means of saving themselves and families from desti¬ 
tution and poverty. Great rejoicing was created with the 
king, his court, and the Papists, by the power of the soldiery 
in producing conversions among the Protestants, when it was 
determined to extend this method of proselytism to all the dis¬ 
tricts in the kingdom where their religion prevailed. 

The scenes of cruelty perpetrated by the soldiers in the 
families in which they were quartered can not adequately be 
described. The success of this measure finally led to the 
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which was framed, and 
signed by the king, at Fontainebleau, on the 18th of October, 
1685. 

Madame de Maintenon thus writes a few days after the edict 
of revocation: 

‘ ‘ The king is very well pleased at having completed the great work 
of bringing the heretics back to the church. Father la Chaise has prom¬ 
ised that it shall not cost one drop of blood, and M. de Louvois says 
the same. I am glad those of Paris have been brought to reason.” 

‘ ‘ I think, with you, that all these conversions are not sincere, but, at 
least, their children will be Catholics.” 

Aliother friend of this wicked method of compelling submis¬ 
sion to Papacy, observes: 

‘ ‘ I admire the king’s plan for ruining the Huguenots (a far more 
appropriate term than conversion). The wars carried on formerly against 
them, and the St. Bartholomew Massacre, have multiplied and given 
vigor to this sect. His majesty has gradually undermined it, and the 
edict he has just given, supported by dragoons, has been the coup de grace." 

The measures adopted by Louis XIV, compelling his Prot¬ 
estant subjects to renounce their faith and return to the worship 
of Romanism, can only be regarded as a religious mania, the 
result of an infatuated mind. 

The effect was to drive from his kingdom large numbers of 


84 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


the purest and wisest of this class of his subjects, and to de¬ 
stroy the usefulness of those who remained at home; because, 
in many instances, their property had, by this process, been 
exhausted, and they were without the means of escape. 

Those compelled to remain his subjects became a disheart¬ 
ened people by their great sacrifice, and the severity of treat¬ 
ment they had received in many instances were destructive of 
their physical vigor. The effect of these measures is given by 
Bishop Burnet, in his history of his own time, as follows : 

“And since I saw that dismal tragedy, which was at this time enacted 
in France, I must give some account of myself. When I resolved to go 
beyond sea, there was no choice to be made. So I resolved to go to 
France. I went to Paris. And there being many there whom I had 
reason to look upon as spies, I took a little house and lived by myself, 
as privately as I could. I continued there till the beginning of August, 
when I went to Italy. I found the Earl of Montague at Paris, with 
whom I conversed much, and got from him most of the secrets of the 
court. 

“The King of France had been for many years weakening the whole 
Protestant interest there, and was then upon the last resolution of recall¬ 
ing the Edict of Nantes. 

‘ ‘ Rouvigny, who was the deputy-general of the churches, told me that 
he was long deceived in his opinion of the king. He knew he was 
not naturally bloody. Pie saw his gross ignorance in those matters. His 
bigotry could not rise from any inward principle. So for many years he 
flattered himself with the hopes that the design would go on so slowly 
that some unlooked-for accident might defeat it. But after the peace 
of Nimeguen in 1678, he saw such steps made, with so much precipita¬ 
tion, that he told the king that he must beg a full audience with him 
upon that subject. He told him what the state of France was during 
the wars in his father’s reign; how happy France had been now for fifty 
years, occasioned chiefly by the quiet it was in with relation to religious 
matters. 

‘ ‘ He gave him an account of their numbers, their industry and wealth, 
their constant readiness to advance the revenues, and that all the quiet 
that he had with the court of Rome was chiefly owing to them; if they 
were rooted out, the court of Rome would govern as absolutely in France 
as it did in Spain. 

‘ ‘ He desired leave to undeceive him, if he was made to believe they 
would all change as soon as he engaged his authority in this matter; 
many would go out of the kingdom, and carry their wealth and industry 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


85 


into other countries. And by a scheme of particulars he reckoned how 
far that would go. In fine, he said it would come to the shedding of 
much blood ; many would suffer, and others would be precipitated into 
desperate courses. So that the most glorious of all reigns would be in 
conclusion disfigured and defaced, and become a scene of blood and 
horror. He told me, as he went through these matters, the king seemed 
to hearken to him very attentively. But he perceived they made no 
impression; for the king never asked any particulars or any explanation, 
but let him go on. And when lie had ended, the king said he took his 
freedom well, since it flowed from a zeal in his service. He believed all 
he had told him of the prejudice it might do him in his affairs; only he 
thought it would not go to the shedding of blood. But he said, he con¬ 
sidered himself as so indispensably bound to endeavor the conversion of 
all his subjects, and the extirpation of heresy, that if the doing of it 
should require that with one hand he should cut off the other, he would 
submit to that. 

“ The Marquis de Louvois, seeing the king so set on the matter, pro¬ 
posed to him a method which he believed would shorten the work, and 
do it effectually; which was to let loose some bodies of dragoons to live 
on the Protestants on discretion. They were put under no restraint, 
but only to avoid rapes and the killing them. This was begun in Bearn. 
And the people were so struck with it, that, seeing that they were to be 
eat up first, and, if that prevailed not, to be cast in prison when all was 
taken from them, till they should change; and being required only to 
promise to reunite themselves to the church, they, overcome with fear, 
and having no time to consult together, did universally comply. 

“ This did so animate the court, that, upon it, the same methods were 
taken in most places of Guyenne, Languedoc, and Dauphine, where the 
greatest numbers of the Protestants were. 

“ A dismal consternation and feebleness ran through most of them, so 
that great numbers yielded. Upon which the king now resolved to go 
through with what had been long projected, published the edict, repeal¬ 
ing the Edict of Nantes, in which (though that edict was declared to be 
a perpetual and irrevocable law), he set forth that it was only intended 
to quiet matters by it, till more effectual ways should be taken for the 
conversion of heretics. He also promised in it that though all the 
public exercises of that religion were now suppressed, yet those of that 
persuasion who lived quietly should not be disturbed on that account; 
while, at the same time, not only the dragoons, but all the clergy and 
bigots of France, broke out into all the instances of rage and fury 
against such as did not change upon their being required in the king’s 
name to be of his religion; for that was the style everywhere. 

“Men and women of all ages who would not yield, were not only 
stripped of all they had, but kept long from sleep, driven about from 


86 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


place to place, and hunted out of tlieir retirements. The women were 
carried into nunneries, in many of which they were almost starved, 
whipped, and barbarously treated. 

“ Some few of the bishops and of the secular clergy, to make the matter 
easier, drew formularies importing that they were resolved to unite them¬ 
selves to the Catholic church, and that they renounced the errors of 
Luther and Calvin, People in such extremities are easy to put a stretched 
sense on any words that may give them present relief. So it was said, 
what harm was it to promise to be united to the Catholic church? and 
the renouncing of men’s errors did not renounce their good and sound 
doctrine. But it was very visible with what intent those subscriptions 
or promises were asked of them; so their compliance in that matter was 
a plain equivocation. 

“But how weak and faulty soever they might be in this, it must be 
acknowledged here was one of the most violent persecutions that is to 
be found in history. In many respects it exceeded them all, both in the 
several inventions of cruelty and in its long continuance. 

“I went over the greatest part of France, while it was in its hottest 
rage, from Marseilles to Montpelier, and from thence to Lyons, and so 
to Geneva. I saw and knew so many instances of their injustice and 
violence that it exceeded even what could have been well imagined; for 
all men set their thoughts at work to invent new methods of cruelty. 
In all the towns which I passed I heard the most dismal account of 
things possible, but chiefly at Valence, where one Derapine seemed to 
exceed even the furies of inquisitors. 

“ One in the streets could have known the new converts as they were 
passing by them, by a cloudy dejection that appeared in their looks and 
deportment. Such as endeavored to make their escape, and were seized 
(for guards and secret agents were spread along the whole roads and 
frontiers of France), were, if men, condemned to the galleys; and, if 
women, to monasteries. 

“To complete this cruelty qrders were given that such of the new 
converts as did not at their death receive the sacrament, should be 
denied burial, and their bodies should be left where other dead carcasses 
were cast out, to be devoured by wolves and dogs. This was executed 
in several places with the utmost barbarity, and it gave all people so 
much horror that, finding the ill effect of it, it was let fall. This hurt 
none, but struck all who saw it even with more horror than those things 
that were more felt. 

‘ ‘ The fury that appeared on this occasion did spread itself with a sort 
of contagion; for the intendants and other officers that had been mild 
and gentle in the former parts of their life, seemed now to have laid aside 
the compassion of Christians, the breeding of gentlemen, and the com¬ 
mon impressions of humanity. The greatest part of the clergy, the 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


87 


regulars especially, were so transported with the zeal that their king 
showed on this occasion, that their sermons were full of the most inflamed 
eloquence that they could invent, magnifying their king in strains too 
indecent and blasphemous to be mentioned by me.”* 

Those extraordinary efforts made by Louis XIV to compel 
whole communities of his subjects to renounce their religious 
faith by inflicting upon them a series of cruelties which, for 
their severity, are scarcely equaled in the history of any age, 
have been related by so many able writers, it is not necessary 
here to repeat them, but to close this sketch of history by 
some additional quotations, emanating from other well-known 
writers. 

Saurin, a son of one of the Protestant refugees, and a cele¬ 
brated preacher at the Hague, gives a further illustration of 
those acts of violence : 

“ A thousand dreadful blows,” said the preacher, “were struck at our 
afflicted churches before that which destroyed them; for our enemies, 
if I may use the expression, not content with seeing our ruin, endeavored 
to taste it. 

“One while edicts were published against those who, foreseeing the 
calamities that threatened our churches, and not having power to pre¬ 
vent them, desired only the sad consolation of not being spectators of 
their ruin. Another while, August, 1669, against those who, through 
their weakness, had denied their religion, and who, not being able to 
bear the remorse of their conscience, desired to return to their first pro¬ 
fession. 

“One while, May, 1679, our pastors were forbidden to exercise their 
discipline on those of their flocks who had abjured the truth. Again, 
June, 1680, children of seven years of age were allowed to embrace doc¬ 
trines which the Church of Rome allows are not level to the capacities 
of adults. Sometimes we were forbidden to convert infidels, and some¬ 
times to confirm those in the truth whom we had instructed from their 
infancy. In July, 1685, the printing of our books were prohibited, and 
those which we had printed were taken away. 

“ In September, 1685, we were not suffered to preach in a church, and 
we were punished for preaching even on the ruins of a church; and at 
length we were forbidden to worship God in public at all. Again, in 


* See Bishop Burnett’s history of his own time, new edition; published in London, A. D., 
1850, pp. 419, 421-422. 





88 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


October, 1685, we were banished; then, in 1689, we were forbidden to 
quit the kingdom on pain of death. 

‘ ‘ Here, we saw the glorious rewards of some who betrayed their 
religion; and there, we beheld others, who had the courage to confess 
it, a hailing to a dungeon, a scaffold, or a galley. Here, we saw our per¬ 
secutors drawing on a sledge the dead bodies of those who had expired 
on the rack. There, we beheld a false friar tormenting a dying man, who 
was terrified, on the one hand, with the fear of hell, if he should aposta¬ 
tize ; and, on the other, with the fear of leaving his children without 
bread, if he should continue in the faith; yonder, they were tearing 
children from their parents; while the tender parents were shedding 
more tears for the loss of their souls than for that of their bodies or 
lives.* 

In referring to these tragic acts, Mr. Bancroft remarks : 

“The extremity of danger inspired even the wavering with courage. 
What though they were exposed without defense to the fury of an unbri¬ 
dled soldiery, whom hatred of heretics had steeled against humanity ? 
Property was exposed to plunder; religious books were burned; chil¬ 
dren torn from their parents; faithful ministers, who would not aban¬ 
don their flocks, broken on the wheel. Men were dragged to the altars 
to be tortured into a denial of the faith of their fathers, and a relapse 
was punished with extreme rigor. 

4 4 The approach of death removes the fear of persecution; bigotry 
invented a new terror; the mean-spirited, who changed their religion, 
were endowed by law with the entire property of the family. The dying 
father was made to choose between wronging his conscience by apostasy, 
and beggaring his offspring by fidelity. All children were ordered to 
be taken away from Protestant parents; but that law it was impossible 
to enforce; nature will assert her rights. 

41 It became a study to invent torments, dolorous but not mortal; to 
inflict all the pain the human body could endure and not die. What 
need of recounting the horrid enormities committed by troops whose 
commanders had been ordered to use the utmost rigor towards those 
who would not adopt the creed of the king ? To push to an extremity 
the vain-glorious fools who would delay their conversion to the last ? 

44 What need of describing the stripes, the roasting by slow fires, the 
plunging into wells, the gashing with knives, the wounds from red-hot 
pincers, and all the cruelties employed by men who were only forbidden 
not to ravish nor kill ? The loss of lives can not be computed. How 
many thousands of men, how many thousands of women and children 


* See vol. ii, 3d series Mass. Hist. Collections, pp. 22-26 inclusive, part of Dr. Holmes’ 
Memoirs of the French Protestants who settled at Oxford, Massachusetts, A. D., 1686. 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


89 


perished in the attempt to escape, who can tell ? An historian has as¬ 
serted that 10,000 perished at the stake, or on the gibbet and the wheel. 

“ But the efforts of tyranny were powerless. Truth enjoys serenely 
her own immortality; and opinion, which always yields to a clearer con¬ 
viction, laughs violence to scorn. 

“ The unparalleled persecutions of vast masses of men for their relig¬ 
ious creed occasioned but a new display of the power of humanity; the 
Calvinists preserved their faith over the ashes of their churches and the 
bodies of their murdered ministers. 

‘ ‘ The power of the brutal soldiery was defied by whole companies of 
faithful men that still assembled to sing their psalms, and from the 
country and the city, from the comfortable homes of the wealthy mer¬ 
chants, from the abodes of an humble peasantry, from the workshops of 
artisans, hundreds of thousands of men rose up as with one heart to bear 
testimony to the indefeasible, irresistible right to freedom of mind.”* 

The vast numbers of these persecuted people who escaped 
from France during the civil wars and the reign of Louis XIY 
have been differently estimated; those who fled their country in 
the few years immediately preceding the Revocation of the 
Edict of Nantes, and about the time this act became the law of 
the country, have been computed at 800,000 souls. 

Soon after the death of Mazarin, March 9, 1661, which left 
the king* unembarrassed and free to exercise his own will in 
the alfairs of government, it soon became evident that a de¬ 
struction of the Protestants was contemplated, and with this 
view many of the better informed of that class of religionists 
began to make provision for their escape to other countries. 

In this early period of persecution by Louis XIY the 
authorities of Massachusetts were applied to for relief in this 
respect. 

“John Touton, a French doctor, and an inhabitant of the city of 
Rochelle, in behalf of himself and other Protestants expelled from their 
habitations on account of their religion, applied as above, in 1662, that 
they might have liberty to inhabit there,” 

which was readily granted to thein.f 


* See Bancroft’s History of the United States, vol. n, PP- 178-179. 
t See Hutchinson’s History of Massachusetts, 3d edition, vol. I, p. 206. 

7 





90 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


What settlements may have been made in Massachusetts 
at this time by French Protestants does not appear; but 
there is abundant evidence of the fact that colonies of this 
class of people were established about this time in New York, 
which will be noticed more particularly in another part of this 
sketch.* 

These emigrations were the most extensive to Switzer¬ 
land, Germany, and the Netherlands, but to the latter more 
particularly to those seven provinces which had secured 
their independence of the Spanish crown, and at this time 
generally designated as Holland; while very large numbers 
fled to Protestant England, to whom Hume refers in his 
history : 

‘ ‘ Louis XIY, having long harassed and molested the Protestants, at 
last revoked entirely the Edict of Nantes, which had been enacted by 
Henry IY, for securing them the free exercise of their religion, which 
had been declared irrevocable, and which, during the experience of near 
a century (from 1598 to 1685), had been attended with no sensible incon¬ 
venience. 

“All the iniquities inseparable from persecution were exercised 
against those unhappy religionists, who became obstinate in proportion 
to the oppressions which they suffered, and either covered under a 
feigned conversion a more violent abhorrence of the Catholic commu¬ 
nion, or sought among foreign nations for that liberty of which they 
were bereaved in their native country. 

“Above half a million of the most useful and industrious subjects 
deserted France, and exported, together with immense sums of money, 
those arts and manufactures which had chiefly tended to enrich that 
kingdom. They propagated everywhere the most tragical accounts of 
the tyranny exercised against them, and revived among the Protestants 
all that resentment against the bloody and persecuting spirit of Popery 
to which so many incidents in all ages had given too much foundation. 

“Near fifty thousand refugees passed over into England; and all men 
were disposed, from their representations, to entertain the utmost horror 
against the projects which they apprehended to be formed by the king 
(James II) for the abolition of the Protestant religion.”! 


* See Brodhead’s History of New York, pp. 730-734, referring to the French settlements 
in the city and at Staten Island, in the colony of New York, 1664. 
t See Hume’s England-, vol. ii, pp. 263 and 264. 



REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


91 


Tlie tendencies of Charles I, Charles II, and James II, of 
England, were in favor of the Romish church, as favoring the 
power of the crown, while the two latter were tools of Louis 
XIY; but the succession of the Prince of Orange, who had 
married Mary, eldest daughter of James, Duke of Yor^, as 
William III, closing the short and inglorious reign of James 
II, brought the crown into unison with the Protestants; while 
Holland was strengthened against the efforts to crush her by 
French Papacy.* 

Great credit is due to the exiled Huguenots of France for 
the aid they rendered in driving from the throne of England 
James II, and establishing the Revolution of 1688. Like the 
Puritans of England who exhibited their heroism in defense 
ot the Parliament, under John Hampden, and subsequently 
Cromwell at the battle of Marston Moor, July 3,1644, and at 
Naseby, the 14th of June, 1645, in favor of civil liberty and 
religious freedom, whole regiments of these Huguenots,! in¬ 
spired by like principles, followed the Prince of Orange into 
England, and fought for a similar cause. The celebrated 
battle of the Boyne, on the 1st of July, 1690, achieved by 
their aid, will always remain a testimony in favor of their 
bravery and devotion to freedom of conscience and religious 
toleration. 

The English colonies in America, from their commence¬ 
ment, received large accessions to their numbers from these 
exiled Huguenots. 

For the further credit of the Huguenots it is proper here to 
state that the French Calvinists were the first to attempt to 
plant colonies within what is now the territory of the United 
States. 

As early as the 18th of February, 1562, two ships left 


* See Bancroft, vol. n, pp. 416, 446, 447, 462, and 468. 
t Same, vol. ii, page 180. 




92 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


France with Huguenot colonists, under command of Captain 
John Ribault, and arrived on the coast of what was then 
known as Florida, in May following, where they came to 
a river, which they named the River May , because they 
discovered it on the first day of that month. This river is 
now known as the St John's , but was called the “ San Matheo ” 
by the Spaniards. In further sailing along that coast north¬ 
erly they discovered other rivers which were named as fol¬ 
lows: The Loire, the Altamaha; Charante, the Newport; 
Garonne, the Ogeechee; Gironde, the Savannah; Bellevoir, 
the May , in South Carolina; Grande, now T the Broad ; Jordan, 
the Gombahee; Port Royal is now Port Royal. Captain 
Ribault finally determined upon a place to build a fort, and 
to plant a colony. This location was on the island in the bay 
of Port Royal, where is now the town of Beaufort. The fort 
erected here was named “ Charles Fort,” in honor of Charles 
IX, who, at the suggestion of Gaspard de Coligny, Admiral of 
France, permitted this expedition to be sent out, and, as designed 
by the admiral, to be a colony of refuge for the Huguenots. 

Having provided an armament for this fort, and provisions 
and clothing for the men who were to remain, the same was 
placed in charge of Captain Albert, until relieved by additional 
colonists from France. 

Captain Ribault, having completed these arrangements, 
resolved to depart for France, where he arrived, on July 12, 
1562. At this time civil war was again raging in the king¬ 
dom, which prevented the succor promised by Captain Ribault 
when he sailed from Fort Charles. 

When peace was again restored, which was soon after the 
assassination of Francis, second Duke of Guise, Admiral 
Coligny urged a second expedition, under the command of 
Captain Rene Laudonniere, with three ships freighted with 
colonists for planting another colony. 

The colonists who had been left at Fort Charles in 1562 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


93 


received marked acts of respect and kindness from all the 
neighboring nations and tribes of natives. The long delay 
of the receipt of the promised supplies left them in a destitute 
condition, when they were compelled by their necessities to 
beg provisions for their subsistence of the different tribes of 
Indians, which were very cheerfully granted to them for smal l 
trifles given in payment. 

Tlieir patience becoming exhausted, and anxious to return 
to their native homes, they employed themselves in building a 
vessel to transport their colony to France. Having finished 
their ship, and rigged it with cordage* furnished them by the 
natives, and received from them corn and beans, and such pro¬ 
visions as their scanty means could supply, they embarked,' 
and finally reached France in a state of starvation, many hav¬ 
ing died on the passage. 

The second expedition embarked at Hew Haven, France, 
the 22d of April, 1564, and arrived on the coast of Florida, 
June 22 following, and on the 25th landed at the mouth of 
the river May, now St. John’s. They soon proceeded up that 
river to a place now called “St. John’s Bluff,” and built a fort, 
which they named “ Fort Caroline,” the outlines of which are 
yet traceable. The time of building this fort by the French 
Huguenots is forty-thlee years before the first English colony 
in America was planted at Jamestown, in Virginia, and fifty- 
five years before the Pilgrims landed from the May Flower 
upon Plymouth rock in 1620. 

This second colony, like the first, treated the natives with 
consideration, respecting them as the lawful proprietors of the 
country, and received much favor and kindness in return. 
Such was the general deportment of the French towards the 
Indians, in all their intercourse with them, the reverse of the 


* This was the first vessel built within the limits of the United States; and, as the story gives 
it, neither of these colonists were skilled in this line of work, but constructed itinsueh 
manner as to be able to navigate the Atlantic, 



94 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


course adopted by the Spaniards, and, in many instances, by 
the English colonists, which accounts for the friendship the 
Indians had for the French, and the distrust and hatred mani¬ 
fested towards the Spaniards and others who adopted their 
harsh and disrespectful conduct. 

These French colonists, like the first colony planted at Port 
Royal, in South Carolina, after a few months were reduced to 
great distress for want of provisions and the necessaries for 
the promotion of health and subsistence, and would have 
abandoned the country a second time but for the arrival of 
Captain John Ribault with reinforcements. 

Intelligence of the existence of this small Huguenot colony 
was given to the harsh and intolerant Philip II, King of 
Spain, who, by virtue of discovery, laid claim to all this 
southern country, by the name of Florida. Jealous of his 
sovereign rights and of any encroachments by other Euro¬ 
pean powers in the New World, and especially indignant that 
a colony of heretics should presume to trespass upon any of his 
domain, he dispatched six ships, well armed and provisioned, 
under the command of Captain Pedro Menendez de Aviles, 
a brave, bigoted, and remorseless soldier, to drive out this 
French Protestant colony, and to take possession of the 
country for himself. 

The contract of Captain Menendez with the Spanish king 
was, that he should furnish one of the galleons, completely 
equipped and provisioned, and that he should conquer and set¬ 
tle the country. He obligated himself to take to this country 
100 horses, 200 head of horned cattle, 400 hogs, 400 sheep, 
and some goats, and 500 slaves, the third part of whom were 
to be men, to aid in cultivating the soil and for building habi¬ 
tations ; also to take in this expedition twelve priests and four 
fathers of the Jesuit order. 

He was to build two or three towns of 100 families each, 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


95 


with a fort; and was to be governor, with a salary of 2,000 
ducats, and a percentage of the royal duties. 

His force on leaving Spain was 2,600 men, many of whom 
were lost on the passage by storms and accidents. He ar¬ 
rived on the coast, August 28, 1565, shortly after the arrival 
of the fleet of Captain John Ribault. 

On the 7th day of September Menendez cast anchor in 
the river of Dolphins, so named from the large number of 
these fish found there, and which is now the harbor of St. 
Augustine. 

He disembarked his men on the present site of this city, 
and here commenced one of the towns which his contract 
with Philip II required him to establish, and it being the 
calendar day of that eminent saint, St. Augustine, the 8th of 
September, the place received this saint’s name that day, 1565, 
which it has since retained. Here Captain Menendez landed 
eighty cannon from his ships, of which the lightest weighed 
2,500 lbs. 

He immediately set upon the work for which he came, and 
by inquiry of the natives learned the true position of the 
French fort and the character of its defenses. The two 
parties each numbered about 600 combatants. 

In those days the belief in special providence was much 
stronger than at the present time, and on every act, especially 
that which pertained to the support and protection of their 
religion, there was a special invocation to the Deity, and 
whether they were to proceed on an errand of mercy, or to 
murder those of a different religious faith, they were laboring 
for the glory of God. 

After hearing mass, and having excited his soldiers by an 
address, showing them that it was a duty to themselves, their 
holy religion, and the king, to punish the French heretics, 
about five hundred men, well armed and provisioned tor tour 
days, moved forward against Fort Caroline, the head-quarters 


96 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


of the French, they first having ascertained that a large 
part of the force had left the fort and embarked aboard their 
vessels, under command of Captain Ribault, to attack the 
Spaniards by sea, and had by a severe storm been blown far 
off to a distant part of the coast. 

It was under these circumstances that the Spanish force fell 
upon the small number of the French at Fort Caroline, on 
the 20th of September, then containing a garrison of about 
240 souls—men, women, and children. The commander, 
Laudonniere, finding resistance useless, escaped with twenty 
or thirty men on board a vessel in the harbor, and, after some 
delay, departed for France. All the others, some reports say, 
were massacred; hut the Spanish accounts say that the 
women, and all children under fifteen years of age, were 
spared. 

The troops which unfortunately left the fort with Captain 
Ribault to attack the Spanish forces by sea were wrecked on 
the coast by the severe storm before referred to, and were 
soon reported to the Spaniards by the Indians as being in a 
distressed condition. 

Menendez at once laid his plans to entrap and get them 
into his hands, and soon succeeded, by holding out acts of 
clemency towards them. Their whole number, consisting of 
about 550 men, who had become separated, and were then in 
two companies, at different points on the coast, below St. 
Augustine. 

One of these companies, numbering about 208 men, was 
first inveigled by false pretenses into his custody, and having 
been interrogated as to their faith, and acknowledging them¬ 
selves Lutherans and Calvinists, all but eight of them, who 
were Catholics, namely, about 200, were marched in the 
direction of St. Augustine, in small companies of ten per¬ 
sons, with their hands tied behind them, and when they ar¬ 
rived at a point designated by Menendez, they were shot by 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


97 


his orders, each company as they reached that point, but were 
all ignorant of their fate until the time of execution, and from 
the* representations of Menendez supposed they were soon to 
be shipped to France. About 200 of the other company, 
including Captain Ribault, were induced to surrender by the 
same pretenses, and shot in like manner, after all had delivered 
up their standards and arms, without having offered any 
resistance or done any injury to the Spaniards. Nothing in 
the annals of crime exhibits more deception and villainy than 
the wholesale murder of these prisoners by Menendez, and 
approved as a satisfactory course of procedure by Philip II, of 
Spain. The remaining party, numbering 150 men, having 
been taken afterwards, were treated more humanely; they 
were permitted to remain with the Spanish colony ; but prob¬ 
ably left Florida as opportunity occurred, being of a different 
religious faith. 

Thus terminated Admiral Coligny’s colony of French Prot¬ 
estants in Florida, and the first attempt at establishing a 
European colony within the limits of the United States. 

A remarkable act of revenge and retaliation fell upon this 
Spanish colony in the year 1568. Dominic de Gourgues, a 
gentleman of wealth, but accustomed to adventure, having 
suffered as a prisoner at a former period by the Spaniards, 
took upon himself, being a Frenchman, the expression of the 
indignation with which the French people viewed the slaughter 
of their countrymen, as the French court, being Catholic, had 
taken no notice of this event. 

De Gourgues, with three vessels, and a land force of 250 
select soldiers, animated with like feelings as their leader, 
appeared in April, 1568, off the mouth of the St. John’s. The 
Spanish fort received his vessels with a salute, supposing them 
to be under the Spanish flag. De Gourgues returned the sa¬ 
lute to deceive the Spaniards. He found the Indians very 
friendly, but bitterly hostile to the Spaniards, and quite ready 


98 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


to join him against their persons and effects. His plans were 
quickly formed, and immediately carried into execution. 

He had learned from the Indians that the Spaniards num¬ 
bered about 400 persons, being divided into three parties, and 
located in three forts, built and flanked, and well fortified 
upon the high bank of the river May, alias St. John’s, alias 
San Matheo. 

The great fort begun by the French, and finished by them, 
was located in the most commanding point of the principal 
landing-places, and about two leagues down the river; they 
had two smaller forts (the river passing between them), 
with 120 soldiers, and artillery and ammunition for their 
defense. 

De Gourgues rendezvoused at Fort George Inlet, called by 
them “ Sarabaythey then moved upon the lower forts at 
break of day, on the Sunday next after Easter Hay, in April, 
1568, and soon made capture of both, killing all their garri¬ 
sons, except fifteen men, reserved for future execution in 
imitation of the barbarous acts of Menendez upon his French 
prisoners. Some few, however, of the garrisons of these two 
forts escaped to the great fort, named Fort Caroline, upon 
which He Gourgues, with his French soldiers and numerous 
Indians, who had joined him, now advanced. Their numbers 
had been greatly magnified by the Spanish soldiers, who, in 
their terror, had escaped from the lower forts. Having skill¬ 
fully marshaled his forces, with his Indian allies as outposts 
to secure such Spaniards as should attempt to escape, he then 
with his main body charged them in front; the Spaniards, 
turning to seek security, were met by the force stationed in 
the rear, and this portion were all either killed or taken 
prisoners. Seeing this misfortune, the Spanish commander 
despaired of being able to hold the fortress, determined 
to make a timely escape to St. Augustine, when most of his 
followers either fell into the hands of the Indians, or were 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


99 


slain upon the spot. The commander, with a few others, were 
all that escaped. 

De Gourgues, now completely successful in retaliation for 
the fate of his countrymen on this spot three years before, 
caused to be suspended on the same tree which had borne 
the bodies of the Huguenots, his Spanish prisoners; and, as 
Menendez had on that occasion erected a tablet, stating that 
“ they had not been punished as Frenchmen, but as Lutherans and 
heretics so he (De Gourgues) in like manner erected his 
tablet, with the inscription that he had done this to them, 
“ not as to Spaniards, nor as to mariners, but as to traitors, 
thieves, and murderers .” 

After inducing the Indians to aid in destroying the forts, he 
set sail for France, arriving safely at Rochelle, June 1, thirty- 
four days after their departure from the river May, in Florida, 
with the loss of a small pinnace with eight men, and but a 
few men slain in the assaults upon the forts. 

Dominic de Gourgues was a native of Mount Marsan, in 
the province of Guyenne; for many years he held an office 
in the army of France, and was respected as a gentleman 
and man of fortune. He died in the year 1582. 

Notwithstanding the sad termination of this Huguenot 
colony, planted through the benevolent design of Admiral 
Coligny, it was not without some favorable results in the 
planting of the first English colony in America—that of 
Jamestown, in 1607, in Virginia. 

As small circumstances sometimes tend to great results, so 
it may be said of some instances that arose out of this fatal 
enterprise. 

In providing for the success of this French colony, there 
were furnished for the expedition several persons skilled as 
draftsmen and artists, whose duty it was to take notice of 
anything curious, or particularly noticeable in either the geog¬ 
raphy, climate, animal, or vegetable life of the country, and 


100 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


to make drafts, or take special note of the same. This im¬ 
portant duty was faithfully and skillfully performed by an 
artist by the name of Jacques de Morgues, of Dieppe, one of the 
party who escaped from Fort Caroline, with Captain Rene de 
Laudonniere, in 1565, at the time of the massacre by Menendez. 

On the return of De Gourgues, Walter Raleigh, a young 
Englishman, had abruptly left the University of Oxford to 
take part in the civil war between the Huguenots and Catho¬ 
lics of France ; and, with the Prince of Navarre, afterwards 
Henry IV, was learning the art of war under the veteran 
Coligny, then the first general in Europe. 

The Protestant party was, at that time, greatly excited with 
indignation at the massacre which De Gourgues had avenged, 
and young Raleigh could not but gather from his associates in 
the Huguenot army, and its commander, Coligny, who had been 
instrumental in planting the unfortunate colony in Florida, 
much intelligence respecting that country and the navigation 
of its coasts. Some of the unhappy men who had escaped 
from the first expedition, on their arrival off the coast of 
France, were taken by English mariners to that country, and 
conducted to Queen Elizabeth, and had excited in the public 
mind in England a desire for the possession of the southern 
coast of America. 

The reports of Hawkins, who had been the benefactor of 
the Huguenots at the river May, added to this excitement in 
England; and Jacques de Morgues, the painter, who had 
sketched in Florida the most remarkable appearances of 
nature, was ultimately engaged by Sir Walter Raleigh in his 
attempts to plant a colony in this more southern latitude; 
hitherto the efforts of the English, and particularly those of 
1578 and 1583, by Sir Humphrey Gilbert (who was the step¬ 
brother of Sir Walter Raleigh), had been in the northern 
regions of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. 

This shows that through the information received from some 


I 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 101 

of the members and associates which carried into effect this 
ill-fated Huguenot enterprise, on the southern coast of this 
republic, the efforts of the English were directed to more 
southern latitudes, and the result was the founding of the first 
English colony in North America, which, as a reasonable prob¬ 
ability, prevented the acquisition of this great southern part 
of the present territory of the United States by the Spaniards, 
or perhaps by the Catholic French, by extending their posses¬ 
sions east over the same, from their settlements along the 
Mississippi river and Florida. 

Besides being the first in the field in planting a colony on 
this southern coast, the Huguenots were the first to establish 
permanent colonies in New France, or what is now known 
as the Canadas and Nova Scotia. 

While John Yerrazzani, a Florentine, under the patronage 
of Francis I, of France, explored all the coast of this republic 
from near Cape Hatteras to Nova Scotia, in the year 1524, 
touching the coast of North Carolina, and entering the harbors 
of New York and Newport, Bhode Island; and while James 
Cartier, a mariner of St. Malo, discovered the great river of 
Canada in 1534, and at different times sailed up its channel 
and discovered the island of Hochelaga, now known as Mon¬ 
treal, so named by this explorer in the year 1535—yet neither 
attempted to plant colonies, but acted simply the part of 
discoverers. 

But finally in 1541-42 an actual attempt was made to plant 
a colony on the banks of the St. Lawrence, when a fort was 
built near the present site of the city of Quebec. 

In this last enterprise Cartier was appointed Captain-Gen¬ 
eral and Chief Pilot, as an associate with Francis de la Roque, 
of Picardy, and Lord of Roberval, a person of distinction, who 
received the commission and title of Lord of Norimbega, a 
name given to all this northern region ; yet, with all his high 


102 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


titles and tlie efforts of this generalissimo, they failed to estab¬ 
lish colonies. 

In this condition this northern country remained; and, in 
fact, with the exception of the Spanish colony at St. Augus¬ 
tine, the result of the Huguenot enterprise before related, 
more than forty years elapsed before any successful attempt 
was made to establish a colony in any part of North America, 
north of the above-named colony, by Spain. As Mr. Bancroft 
has expressed it, 

11 This Huguenot colony at the South sprang from private enterprise; 
a government which could devise the Massacre of St. Bartholomew was 
neither worthy nor able to found new States.” 

‘ ‘ At length, under the mild and tolerant reign of Henry IV, the star 
of France emerged from the clouds of blood, treachery, and civil war, 
which had so long eclipsed her glory.” 

The number and importance of the fishing stages had 
increased; in 1578 there were 150 Trench vessels at New¬ 
foundland, and regular voyages for traffic with the natives 
began to be successfully made. One French mariner, before 
1609, had made more than forty voyages to the North Ameri¬ 
can coast. Colonization was again attempted in 1598, but 
the enterprise entirely failed. 

Finally, after some other movements for this purpose, a 
commission was issued by Henry IY to a Huguenot, the able, 
patriotic, and honest Governor of Pons, Pierre du Gua, Sieur 
de Monts. To him was granted the monopoly of the fur trade 
in all parts of North America, lying between Cape Pace, in 
Newfoundland, up to the fiftieth degree of north latitude, 
inclusive. All Huguenots or French Protestants, it was or¬ 
dained, were to enjoy in America, as then in France under 
the Edict of Nantes, full freedom of their public religious wor¬ 
ship. Much good was expected to result from this enterprise 
to be conducted by the able and honest Sieur de Monts ; nor 
were the public or his patron, King Henry IY, disappointed. 


REFORMATION IN FRANCE. 


103 


De Monts was distinguished as one ever zealous for the glory 
ot his country. His ships, with emigrants, embarked at Havre 
de Grace in March 1604 ; Samuel de Champlain as the naviga¬ 
tor. They sailed towards Acadia, which M. de Monts preferred 
to Canada, because of its milder climate, and which was then 
the chief place of resort for the French fur trade, and was con¬ 
sidered at this time the finest country of Hew France. They 
at last arrived on the coast, and entered the Bay of Fundy, 
and finally the bay, now at Annapolis , but named by Baron 
Jean de Pontrincourt, who with his family were of the com¬ 
pany, Port Royal. From here they sailed to the entrance of 
the St. Croix river, and decided to make a settlement on an 
island at the mouth of the same, which proved unsatisfactory, 
but after remaining here through the winter abandoned the 
place, and returned to Port Boyal, Nova Scotia, and there 
established the first French colony in the spring of 1605. 
This occurred two years before the James river was discovered, 
three years before any settlement was effected in Canada, and 
fifteen years before the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth.* 

* The following authors have been consulted in writing the foregoing sketch, to wit:— 
Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History, vol. n, his History of the Reformation; W. S. Browning’s 
History of the Huguenots ; Rev. John G. Lorimer’s Historical Sketch of the Protestant 
Church of France ; Nathaniel William Wraxall’s History of France under the kings of the 
race of Valois, including the reign of Francis I, and to the close of the reign of Charles IX. 
Miss Pardoe’s Louis XIV, and the Court of France in the seventeenth century; M. Charles 
Weiss’ History of French Protestant Refugees; the Rev. P. F. X. De Charlevoix’ History of 
New France; Bancroft’s History of the United States; Historical Collections of Louisiana and 
Florida, by B. F. French; Hayden’s Dictionary of Dates; Bishop Burnet’s History of his 
own Time; Hume’s History of England; Henry Thomas Buckle’s History of Civilization in 
England; the Massacre of St. Bartholomew and History of Civil Wars in the reign of Charles 
IX, by Henry White; Samuel Smiles’ The Huguenots, their Settlements, Churches, and 
Industries ; Menzel’s History of Germany; D’Aubigne’s Reformation ; the History of 
the Reformed Religion in France, by Rev. Edward Smedley ; the Memoirs of the Duke of 
Sully (Maximilian Bethune); Henri Martin’s History of France; and various other works 
relating to the History of Germany, Spain, England, and the Netherlands; also, An Analysis 
of the History of the Reformation, and prior and subsequent History of the English Church, 
by Rev. W. H. Pinnock, LL. D., 3d edition; Cambridge, England, 1854. 










t 












































































































OXFORD. 


Section II. 


CHAPTER I. 


THE GRANT FOR OXFORD: ITS HISTORY, AND THAT OF THE 
COLONY OF HUGUENOTS, OR FRENCH PROTESTANTS, WHO 
FORMED HERE THE FIRST PLANTATION. 

rpHIS was the first grant for a town within the limits of the 
territory, now the county of Worcester, after the disas¬ 
trous war of King Philip. There had been granted but four 
townships in this great interior territory, then known as the 
Hipnet or Nipmuck country, previous to this time, viz.: Lan¬ 
caster, in 1653, a place known to the English as early as 1643, 
as the Indian town called “ Hash awayMendon, petitioned 
for by some inhabitants of Braintree in 1660, and granted for 
a town in 1667; Brookfield, a place known as the Indian town 
of the Quaboags, visited by the Rev. John Eliot in 1655, to 
make known to these natives the revelations of the Gospel; 
it was granted to a number of the inhabitants of Ipswich, in 
the county of Essex, in 1660, and not incorporated as Brook¬ 
field until 1673 ; the fourth was Quinsigamond, granted by 
the recpiest of Daniel Gookin, the Indian agent of the colony, 
as a favorable place for a town, being an intermediate place 
between Boston and Springfield, located in 1668, on his and 
others’ petition, made in 1665. 

These grants were in the midst of the native occupants of 
this interior, and mostly located by their solicitation, the first 
settlers being generally traders, who gained a support by 
8 



106 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


traffic with these Indians; and although their progress as 
towns had been slow, jet they were regarded before this war 
as permanently established, with little fear from these natives, 
as there had been a general peace with the Indians since the 
Peqnot war of 1637. This unexpected war of Philip soon 
extended to this interior, and where peace and quiet had 
reigned uninterruptedly, a war of extermination and desola¬ 
tion, without any apparent cause or warning, followed. All 
these plantations, during the years 1675 and 1676, were des¬ 
troyed, and several years intervened before settlements again 
commenced in either. 

Quinsigamond had only about six English dwellings at this 
time, which were burned ; and several years passed before 
another attempt for a settlement began, when, on the petition 
of Daniel Gookin and others, in 1684, this Indian name was 
changed for Worcester; but the place was not organized as a 
town till September 28, 1722. 

The English planters were, from their first settling in the 
country, accustomed to respect the Indian ownership of the 
soil, and paid for lands they occupied; and following this war, 
although but a remnant of these natives remained, and a 
powerless body, yet the General Court, before proceeding to 
make new grants in this interior, deemed it proper to seek 
out the native owners, however humble, and to purchase, at a 
satisfactory price agreed upon, a large tract of this country. 
For that end in view an order was passed, February 15,1681, 
appointing the Hon. William Stoughton, of Dorchester, and 
Hon. Joseph Dudley, of Roxbury, to attend to that duty. 
Having so done, they report as follows : 

“Whereas, we were appointed by the General Court, by their order, 
February 15, 1681, to transact some matters relating to the Indians, con¬ 
cerning their lands, and being upon that occasion at Natick, on the 19th 
of May, there were presented to us the deeds of sale hereto annexed, 
from the principal men of Natick, which they acknowledged before us, 
made to Samuel Gookin and Samuel Howe, for a parcel of remote and 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


107 


waste lands, belonging to the said Indians, lying at the uttermost 
westerly bounds of Natick, and, as we are informed (having seen the 

plot thereof), is for quantity about-acres, more or less, being mean 

lands, and said to be, the most part, composed with lands belonging to 
the English; and having inquired into the matter, we conceive it would 
be no prejudice or inconvenience to the Indians, or their plantation at 
Natick, to sell the same to the persons concerned, which at ye request 
of parties, both English and Indians, we offer to the Court for their 
confirmation of ye sale. 

“WILLIAM STOUGHTON. 

“JOSEPH DUDLEY. 

“May 27, 1682.” 

The Indian deeds referred to in the foregoing report are 
deemed of sufficient interest to appear in connection with this 
history, which are as follows : 


FIRST DEED. 

“ To all Christian people to whom this present Deed shall come: 

“ Know ye, that we, Waban, Pyambobo, John Awassawog, Thomas 
Awassawog, Samuel Awassawog, John Awassawog, Jr., Anthony Tray, 
John Tray, Peter Ephraim, Nehemiah James, Rumeny Marsh, Zackery 
Abraham, Samuel Neaucit, Simon Sacomit, Andrew Pittyme, Ebenezer 
Pegin, JohnMaquaw, James Printer, Samuel Acompanit, Joseph Milion, 
and Samuel Cocksquamion, Indian natives, and natural descendants of 
the ancient proprietors and inhabitants of the Nipmuck country (so 
called) and lands adjacent within the Colony of Massachusetts, in New 
England, for, and in consideration of the sum of thirty pounds, current 
money of New England, to us in hand, at and before the ensealing and 
delivery of these presents, well and truly paid by William Stoughton, 
of the town of Dorchester, Esq., and Joseph Dudley, of the town of 
Roxbury, Esq., both within the Colony of Massachusetts, the receipt of 
which valuable sum we do hereby acknowledge ourselves therewith 
fully satisfied, have granted, bargained, and sold unto said William 
Stoughton and Joseph Dudley, their heirs and assigns, forever, all that 
part of the Nipmuck country, lying and being beyond the great river 
called Kuttatuck or Nipmuck river (now Blackstone), and between a 
range of marked trees; beginning at the said river, and running south¬ 
east till it fall upon the south line of said colony, on the south, and a 
certain imaginary line four miles on the north side of the road as it 
now lieth to Springfield, on the north; the said great river Kuttatuck 
or Nipmuck on the east, and the said patent line on the west; all the 


108 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


lands lying within the said limits or bounds, be they more or less. In 
witness whereof, we have hereunto put our hands and seals this 10th 
day of February, Anno Domini, one thousand six hundred and eighty- 
one, and in the four-and-thirtieth year of the reign of our Sovereign 
Lord, King Charles the Second, over England, ” &c. 


“Signed, sealed, and delivered 
in presence of us, 

Samuel Buggies, Sen., 

Daniel Morse, 

Samuel Gookin, 

John Allen, 

Obadiali Morse. 


“Waban, X his mark and seal. 
Pyambobo, O “ 

John Awassawog, O “ 

Samuel Awassawog, m ‘ ‘ 

Samuel Bowman, h “ 

John Awassawog, Jr.V “ 

I Anthony Tray, y 1 ‘ 

Thomas Tray, ? “ 

Benjamin Tray, p “ 

Jethro, B 

Joseph Ammon, Jo “ 

Peter Ephraim, lie ‘ ‘ 

Andrew Pittyme, An “ 
Nehemiah, “ 

Zackery Abraham, II “ “ 

Samuel Neaucit, M “ “ 

Thomas Waban, m “ “ 

George Moonisco, G. “ “ 

Eleazer T. Pegin “ “ 

Simon Sacomit, “ “ 

Great Jacob Jacob, “ “ 

Elisha Milion, ) 

, T . > O. alias, “ 

Menumion, \ ’ 


The second deed was of the same date, embracing the same 
territory, with the consideration of twenty pounds lawful 
money of New England, making fifty pounds as the full pay¬ 
ment for the relinquishment of the Indian title to the tract of 
country thus conveyed, but had a reservation as follows: 


“ Reserving always unto ourselves, our heirs and assigns, out of the 
above said grant, a certain tract of land five miles square, at such two 
places as tve shall choose, to be wholly at our own use and dispose.”* 


* This reservation was selected and located at Chabanakongkomun, surveyed in October, 
1684, to Black James and others. It extended west from Chabanakongkomun pond (from 
which the Indian town here took its name), over Maanexit river (French river). Nearly all of 
this tract, with other lands between the towns of Oxford and Woodstock, became the prop¬ 
erty of Joseph Dudley, and afterwards fell to his sons, the Hon. Paul and William Dudley. 
Part of this Indian land is now within the limits of Thompson, Conn., and part in Dudley. 




EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


109 


Signed and witnessed as follows: 


Signed, sealed, and delivered 
in presence of 
William Parker. 

Isaac Newell. 

John Gove. 

Samuel Ruggles, Jr. 

Peter (his X mark) Gardiner. 
Ralph Brodliurst. 


“ Black James, U and Seal. 


Sam Jaco, E “ 

Benjamin, O “ 

Simon Wolamp, Lo “ 

Wolowa Nonek, F “ 

Pe Pey Pegans, “ 

Poponi Shant, Ts, “ 

Cotoosowk, son of 


Wolompaw, by his 
order ‘ ‘ 

Wabequola, Wab “ 

Siebquat, his mark S “' 


The grant for Oxford, as expressed on the records of the 
Court, is in the following words: 

“This Court having information that some gentlemen in England 
are desirous to remove themselves into this colony, and (if it may be) 
to settle themselves under the Massachusetts; for the encouragement of 
such persons, and that they may have some from among themselves, 
according to their motion, to assist and direct them in such a design, 
this Court doth grant to Major Robert Thompson, William Stoughton, 
and Joseph Dudley, Esq., and such others as they shall associate to 
them, a tract of land in any free place, conteyning eight miles square, for 
a township, they settling in the said place within fower years, thirty 
families, and an able orthodox minister, and doe allow to the said town¬ 
ship freedom from country rates for fower years from the time above 
limited.”—May 16, 1683.* 


On the petition of these grantees, in 1685, the General 
Court extended the time for settling upon this grant, the 
thirty families, as follows: 


“In answer to the motion and request of William Stoughton and 
Joseph Dudley, Esq., on behalf of Major Thompson and themselves, 
desiring this Court’s favor to enlarge the time of their grant of their 
plantation, this Court do enlarge the time for settling that plantation 
therein mentioned, the space of three years from this day.”—January, 
1685.f 


The grantees and their associates interested in this grant 
were men of distinction ; and some of them had great influence 


* See Records of General Court, vol. v, p. 402. 
t See Records of General Court, vol. v, p. 594. 




110 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


in the province. The first gentleman named in this grant, 
Major Robert Thompson, although for a considerable period 
a resident of New England, and a firm friend of the Puritans, 
sympathizing with them in his religious faith, has not been 
remembered by any of the authors of the biographical dic¬ 
tionaries, designed to perpetuate the names and acts of men 
distinguished in the history of this section of our country. 

Major Thompson’s connection with the grant for this town, 
as the first-named in the act for establishing the same by 
the General Court, the eminence of his associates, and his 
connection otherwise with the affairs of New England, is 
deemed a sufficient reason for introducing here some his¬ 
torical facts in illustration of his character, and for the 
preservation of his memory. 

It appears that Major Thompson was a member of the 
first corporation established in England, by an act of Par¬ 
liament, July 19, 1649, for the Propagation of the Gospel 
Among the Indians of New England. The colony of Mas¬ 
sachusetts had, at the suggestion of some of the leading men 
among the ministers of the Gospel, passed an act, in Septem¬ 
ber, 1646, for Christianizing the Indians; among these min¬ 
isters was the Rev. John Eliot, who had here received, while 
examining this religious question, that inspiration which led 
him to devote the future of his life to this benevolent 
object.* 

The limited means of the colony at this early period were 
not equal to carrying on the plans designed for promoting 
this object. It was, therefore, determined to have this matter 
presented to the pious and benevolent in England, to enlist 
their aid in its behalf. 

Edward Winslow, of Plymouth, being then the agent of 


* See Hutchinson’s History of Massachusetts, vol. i, pp. 150-157, 3d edition, 1795; also 
see Court Records, October 1, 1645, vol. n, pp. 55, 84, 134, purchase of land at Natick for 
the first township for collecting and civilizing the natives. 





EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


Ill 


the colony at the English court, was instructed to use his 
influence in favor of the cause. The result was the act of 
incorporation as aforesaid; and in effecting the same, Mr. 
Winslow received essential aid from Herbert Pelham, Rich¬ 
ard Hutchinson, Robert Thompson, and Richard Floyd, all of 
whom had been in New England, and whose names were 
inserted, with others, in England; William Steel, James 
Shirley, Abraham Babington, Robert Houghton, George 
Dun, William Mullins, John Hodgson, Edward Parks, Ed¬ 
ward Clud, Thomas Aires, and John Stone, with Edward 
Winslow, as the first corporators in this act of Parliament. 

Judge William Steel was elected its first President, Rich¬ 
ard Floyd the Treasurer. Mr. James Shirley was the special 
friend of Plymouth colony, while Herbert Pelham and Rob¬ 
ert Thompson were well-known friends of the early settlers 
in both the colony of Massachusetts and that of Connecticut.* 

Major Thompson was identified with this religious enter¬ 
prise, established in the last year of the reign of Charles I, 
and continued through the dictatorship of* Cromwell; and, 
when renewed by Charles II, in 1662, with the Hon. Robert 
Boyle as the second President, he was continued a member 
of the same. When the Hon. Robert Boyle resigned the 
office of President, after serving the society more than twenty 
years, Major Thompson became its third President.! 

It further appears that Major Thompson was a particular 
friend of Edward Hopkins, the son-in-law of Theopliilus 
Eaton, one of the founders of the colony of New Haven, and 
who was the successor of John Haynes, as the second Gov¬ 
ernor of the colony of Connecticut. 

He calls Major Thompson his loving friend, and in his 


♦See Hutchinson’s Massachusetts, vol. I, p. 154 ; also, Bradford’s History of Plymouth 
Colony, pp. 157, 229, 246, and 250 ; and Colonial Records of Connecticut, 1678-1689, 
p. 261 ; likewise, Hazzard’s Collections, State Papers, vol. I, pp. 318 and 635 ; also, vol. n 
pp. 146-147 ; and 483. 

t See Hutchinson’s History Massachusetts, vol. i, p. 324. 




112 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


“ Will” made March 17, 1657, appoints him and Francis 
Willoughby its overseers. 

It is presumed, from the reading of this will, that Major 
Thompson was liis relative by marriage. After devising 
several considerable sums to friends and relatives, lie adds : 
“ My further mind and will is— 

‘ ‘ That within six months after the decease of my wife, £500 be made 
over into New England, according to the advice of my loving friends, 
Major Robert Thompson and Mr. Francis Willoughby,* and conveyed 
into the hands of the Trustees—Theopliilus Eaton, Esq., Mr. John Dav¬ 
enport (the Rev. as supposed), Mr. John Culick, and Mr. William Good¬ 
win, in further prosecution of the aforesaid public ends (to give some 
encouragement in those foreign plantations for the breeding up of hope¬ 
ful youth—both at the grammar school and college at Cambridge, for 
the public service of the country in future times), which, in the simpli¬ 
city of my heart, are for the upholding and promoting the kingdom of 
the Lord Jesus Christ in those parts of the earth. ”f 

The following letter to Major Thompson, by Gov. William 
Leete, of the colony of Connecticut, will show something of 
his standing and character in England : 

“Hartford, Oct. 28 d, 1678. 

‘ ‘ Honored Sir : 

“I am desired by our General Assembly to intreat so much favor from 


* Francis Willoughby was Lieutenant-Governor of the colony of Massachusetts six years, 
1665-1670, Richard Bellingham being Governor at the same time. 

f Mr. Hopkins provided similarly for the college and school at New Haven. The receipt 
of these funds was not realized until many years afterwards. Mrs. Hopkins survived her 
husband, who died in 1657, over forty years, dying December 17, 1698, at which time the 
executors, overseers, and trustees named in the will had deceased, and the property devised 
had passed to other hands. It became necessary to institute a suit in chancery in the Eng¬ 
lish courts, and, after much delay, a decision was arrived at by Sir Simon Harcourt, Lord- 
keeper, who decreed that the money be paid over according to the will of the testator. This, 
as appears, was received in 1714, and, as the decree directed, was invested in lands, in the 
interior of Natick (as then known). A tract of 13,000 acres was purchased of the Natick 
Indians, comprising, with an additional grant from the province, the town of Hopkinton, 
in Middlesex county (which derived its name from this benefactor), and part of the town 
of Upton, in the county of Worcester. Governor Joseph Dudley, and other distinguished 
persons in the province, to the Humber of twenty-one, were the first trustees. The rents 
of these lands for many years yielded only $222.22, annually, until March, 1823, when it 
was agreed that the rent should, in future, for ninety-nine years, be $666.67, one. penny 
sterling per acre, and afterwards three pence sterling. This contract was soon compro¬ 
mised for a net sum, which, in 1853, amounted to over $30,000. 

See Quincy’s History of Harvard University ; also, see Mr. Savage’s Notes to Winthrop’s 
History of New England, vol. x, pp. 228-230. 





EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


113 


you] self as to be concerned on their and our behalf, either by your own 
hand or some other person that you judge meet, and can prevail withall 
to present this, our humble address, into his Majesty’s hand, with the 
beseeching his Royal candor to pardon both our slowness and* mean¬ 
ness theiein, as coming from his poor wilderness subjects lately saved 
out of the hands of a barbarous enemy, and much unskilled in making 
such a sublime presentation of themselves, yet could not in duty forbear 
the adventuring to make ourselves known in the capacity of loyal sub¬ 
jects, upon confidence of finding his Majesty unchangeable in the grace 
we have formerly experienced. If anything hereabout should occasion 
charge, we shall, with all readiness, be responsible, and remain your 


obliged and thankful servants, 


WM. LEETE, 


“ Subscribed these for the Hon. Robert 1 on behalf, as above, 



Thompson, I 
near London. 


(Gen’l Assembly).” 


Major Thompson was one of the referees to whom the ad¬ 
justment of the charter bounds between Connecticut and 
Rhode Island was submitted by Governor John Wintlirop, Jr., 
and Mr. John Clark, in 1663. Afterwards the colony of 
Connecticut, as well as Massachusetts, had frequent occasion 
to ask his good offices for the presentation of petitions and 


*Tlie petition to his majesty, Charles II, forwarded with this letter to be presented, 
referred to the continuance of that charter of the colony obtained of his majesty by John 
Winthrop, Jr., in 1662, the same charter of said colony, which Sir Edmund Andros, then Gov¬ 
ernor of the Territories in America belonging to the Duke of York, afterwards James II, 
was making effort to violate. 

Sir Edmund Andros, having served as Governor over the Territories of the Duke of York 
in America a number of years, and known as a very unscrupulous and exacting man, 
received appointment and was commissioned, June 3,1686, Captain-General and Governor- 
in-Chief in and over the colonies of Massachusetts Bay and New Plymouth, the provinces 
of New Hampshire and Maine, and the Narragansett country, or King’s Province. He 
arrived at Boston on the 20th of December, and published his commission the same day. 
On the 22d he dispatched special messengers to Rhode Island and Connecticut, with letters 
to their governors, announcing his arrival, and that he was authorized to receive the sur¬ 
render of the charters of those colonies, if tendered by them. At the same time, Edward 
Randolph, another despotic tool of James II, wrote Governor Treat, of Connecticut, urging 
him to avail himself of the only door yet open, by an early application to his excellency, to 
be annexed to his government, and informing him that a third writ of quo warranto had 
been issued against the colony, returnable February 9. 

A letter from the Under-Sheriff of London, indorsing the writ, was delivered by the same 
messenger. 

This shows the condition of the New England colonies at the close of the reign of Charles 
II, and in the short reign of James II, formerly Duke of York. It was fortunate for these 
colonies that the revolution in England, in 1688, displaced these despots and placed the 
Prince of Orange on the throne, under a constitution that protected the rights of the 

people. 

* 



114 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


management of their affairs in England. He received a spe¬ 
cial grant of 500 acres of land from Massachusetts, besides his 
share of the grant for Oxford, in 1683, in acknowledgment of 
'his good-will and friendship to that colony. This grant was 
subsequently laid out in the territory east of Woodstock, 
which afterwards became the north part of Killingly; and, in 
1731, the General Assembly of Connecticut granted to Joseph 
Thompson, Esq., of the Inner Temple, London, grandson and 
heir of the said Robert Thompson, Esq., of the parish of 
Stoke, Newington, deceased, 2,000 acres near the grant be¬ 
fore to his grandfather, which, with the 500 as aforesaid, 
making 2,500 acres, was given in remembrance of the valua¬ 
ble services of Major Thompson.* 

In 1728 the settlers here formed themselves into a society, by 
name, “The North Parish of Killingly;” but, in 1730, in honor 
of Major Robert Thompson, changed the name to Thompson's 
Parish , and it so remained till the year 1785, when, by their 
petition and the inhabitants of Killingly to the General As¬ 
sembly of Connecticut, setting forth that the town was eighteen 
miles long by seven wide, and very inconvenient for the voters 
to attend Freeman’s meetings, it was resolved that Thompson’s 
Parish be made a separate town by the name of Thompson. 

It also appears that Major Robert Thompson bought the 
interest of the Rev. Henry Whitfield in the town of Guild¬ 
ford, in Connecticut, after Mr. Whitfield’s return to England. 

This estate was much the largest and most valuable in that 
town, Mr. Whitfield being the most wealthy and chief founder 
of the town, in the year 1639. He received of Colonel 
George Fenwick a large part of the eastern portion of the 
town, and had erected a large and expensive stone house on 


* Governor Gurdan Saltonstall, in behalf of his great-grandfather, Sir Richard Salton- 
stall, owned 1,000 acres here, and Josiah Wolcott, son-in-law of John Campbell, the first 
minister of Oxford, had 2,000 acres here, formerly the property of Thomas Freak. The 
first sale of land in this tract was by this Mr. Wolcott and his wife, Mary, of Salem, to 
Josiah Sabin, April 10, 1716. 




EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


115 


his plantation, beautifully located, fronting the sound, which 
is a tine house at the present time, all of which became the 
property of Major Thompson, and descended to his heirs. Mr. 
Whitfield returned to England about 1652. Thus it will be 
seen that Major Thompson was a man of note, both in Eng¬ 
land and in these colonies, and was largely and earnestly 
interested in their behalf. 

The other two gentlemen named in the grant for Oxford 
are familiarly known by the provincial history of Massachu¬ 
setts, and by the biographical notices of them by both Eliot 
and Allen in their biographies of noted men of this early 
period of New England. 

Both Stoughton and Dudley filled a large place in the his¬ 
torical affairs of New England in their day ; both were largely 
engaged in the public business of these colonies a large part 
of their lives, and wielded great influence in matters relating 
to them, both in these colonies and the mother country, and 
the affairs of the same for that period were largely shaped by 
their labors. 

Stoughton was a man of learning and piety, a benefactor of 
Harvard College. Stoughton Hall was erected at his expense 
in 1698 ; he also left by his will several tracts of land for 
aiding students at the college and scholars at Dorchester. He 
died, July 7th, 1701, aged 70. 

Hon. Joseph Dudley was son of Governor Thomas Dudley, 
a graduate of Harvard in 1665 ; was agent of the province in 
England many years; and, in 1686, was appointed President of 
Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but was superseded by 
Andros, and then appointed Chief-Justice of the colony. 

In 1689 he again visited England, and, in 1690, returned 
with a commission as Chief-Justice of the Colony of New York. 
Soon after, on visiting England, he received the appointment 
of Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight, England, which 
office he field eight years, and was then appointed, by Queen 


116 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


Anne, Governor of Massachusetts, and continued in that office 
till November, 1715. He died, April 2, 1720, aged 73. 

There was no man in New England in his time who exer¬ 
cised a greater influence in her affairs, at home or abroad. 
He possessed rare ability, and was a learned man, a gentle¬ 
man in his deportment, and a firm supporter of the cause of 
education and religion. Among the associates of these three 
gentlemen whose names appear in the grant for Oxford, were 
Doctor Daniel Cox, Captain John Blackwell, of London, and 
Thomas Freak, of Hannington, in the county of Wilts, Eng¬ 
land. Of these Englishmen, Major Robert Thompson, Dr. 
Daniel Cox, Captain John Blackwell, and Thomas Freak, 
there is good reason to believe that some of them—Blackwell 
in particular—and probably others, and many of their friends 
who were Puritan Dissenters, and at this time oppressed for 
their religious belief, designed to remove and settle perma¬ 
nently in this country ; but changed their design for the reason 
of the favorable change in both political and religious affairs 
in England, consequent upon the death of King Charles II, 
and the short reign of James II, which brought to the English 
throne William of Nassau, the Prince of Orange, as William 
III, giving to England a constitution defining and protecting 
the rights of the people, against what had been the oppressive 
acts and designs of the two preceding reigning princes. 

The following letter from Dr. Cox to Governor Bradstreet, 
dated “ London, October 10, 1684,” is evidence of the design 
referred to above : 

“Divers persons in England and Ireland, gentlemen, citizens, and 
others, being inclined to remove themselves into foreign parts, where 
they may enjoy, without interruption, the public exercise of the Chris¬ 
tian religion, according to what they apprehend to be of Divine institu¬ 
tion, have prevailed with Mr. Blackwell to make your country a visit, 
and enquire whether they may be there welcome, and which they may 
reasonably expect—that liberty they promise themselves and others, who 
will attend their motion.” 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


117 


The following is another letter of similar import, there 
being only nine days’ difference in their date; and while the 
first is from England, this latter is from France; it being a 
singular coincidence touching the idea of fleeing from religi¬ 
ous oppression, and looking to New England, in America, as 
a place of refuge for the enjoyment of their religions faith, 
denied them in their own country : 


“Rochelle, October 1, 1684. 

New England, the country where you live, is in great esteem ; I 
and a great many others, Protestants, intend to go there. Tell us, if 
you please, what advantage we can have, and particularly the peasants 
who are used to the plough. If somebody of your country would send 
a ship here to bring over French Protestants, he would make great 
gain.” 

The English Revolution of 1688 had a similar effect to that 
of the Revolution of 1640, in staying the emigration of Eng¬ 
lish Dissenters to New England. But in France there was no 
such relief, but if possible, it continued with increased severity, 
resulting in the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685, 
causing hundreds of thousands of this proscribed class to exile 
themselves to foreign countries. It was of this class that 
entered the wilderness and formed the first plantation at Ox¬ 
ford. Captain John Blackwell came to New England, as 
proposed by Dr. Cox, and remained several years, and was 
the friend and associate of Mr. Dudley. 

Besides being an associate in the grant for Oxford, he, with 
Captain James Fitch and others, obtained a separate grant as 
described,* “in the Wabquasset country,” bearing date, “July 
8, 1686.” This grant afterwards became the town of Bom- 
fret, which was incorporated in 1713. The same reasons that 
changed the decision of Dr. Cox, Freak, and others, from 
removing to New England, no doubt induced Captain Black- 


* See Colonial Records of Connecticut, vol. from 1678 to 1689, p. 149. This describes 
bounds of Wabquasset country. 



118 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


well to abandon the idea of forming a settlement of his friends 
here, and to return home. He procured a division of the 
Wabquasset grant, which gave him a separate tract of 5,000 
acres in the south part of the same, to which he gave the 
name of Mortlake. The name was that of a village in Surrey, 
in England, near the Thames, a few miles above London. 
This was the place of residence of General Lambert (the 
father-in-law of Blackwell), and Lord Pack, Lord Tichburn, 
Sir John Ireton, and many others of Oliver Cromwell’s friends 
and supporters. The Wimbledon House and other courtly 
places were here established during the protectorate. Black¬ 
well’s heirs sold the Mortlake estate to Jonathan Belcher, 
afterwards Governor of Massachusetts, and probably sold his 
Oxford lands to other parties in Boston—they, amounting to 
7,714 acres, making 12,714 acres in the two grants. Mort¬ 
lake remained a separate district, but without corporate 
powers, until 1752, when it was annexed by the Assembly 
of Connecticut to the town of Pomfret. 

Blackwell was a member of the English Parliament in 
.1656, under the Commonwealth of Cromwell, and a treasurer 
in his army. In the year 1657, Parliament, by a special act, 
settled upon him and his heirs large tracts of land in Ireland, 
in the counties of Dublin and Kildare.* He was excepted 
from the general pardon when Charles II was restored to the 
throne, and was, for a time, obliged to exile himself, as did his 
father-in-law, General Lambert, and many others, who had 
served under Cromwell. He and General Lambert resided 
several years in the island of Guernsey, off the coast of Nor¬ 
mandy. He came to this country in 1684, commissioned by 
the English and Irish Dissenters, to look for a place of refuge, 
and it is quite clear that he continued here four or five years, 
until after the Be volution of 1688. 


* See vol. hi, Colonial Records of Connecticut, pp. 202, 222, 246-247. 




EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


119 


Edward Randolph, a tool of the government of Charles II, 
and afterwards that of the Duke of York, who succeeded to 
the throne as James II, was employed at Boston, as an officer 
of the customs, while Captain Blackwell resided in this 
country, and wrote to his superiors at home, noticing the 
attention shown to him by Governor Dudley, viz.: “ That 
Captain Blackwell, son-in-law to Lambert, and a violent Com¬ 
monwealth’s man* was made a justice of the peace by Gov¬ 
ernor Dudley and his council, and consulted with about all 
public affairs.” This might have been the occasion for the 
Duke of York (James II) taking prompt measures for 
superseding Governor Dudley by the appointment of Sir 
Edmund Andros. Dudley received his appointment, May 20, 
1686, and was succeeded by the appointment of Andros, 
December 20, following, Blackwell being a resident of Boston 
at this time. 

Thus it will be seen, by the foregoing, that Major Thomp¬ 
son and Captain Blackwell were men of high standing and 
character both in England and America, and it is presumed, 
from their connection in this association, that Doctor Cox and 
Thomas Freak were of a similar position in society. 

The first survey of the grant for Oxford was made by John 
Gore, of Roxbury. Its contents were 41,250 acres. On the 
presentation of this survey and plan to the General Court, it 
was accepted on the 16th of May, 1683, and received the 
name of Oxford, in honor of Oxford, in Oxfordshire, in Eng¬ 
land, and its celebrated university, at which many of the 
noted Puritan fathers of New England received their colle¬ 
giate education. 

The first object of the grantees was to furnish the thirty 
families of permanent planters. The grantees for the town 
of Woodstock, then known as New Roxbury, and the older 
plantations of Lancaster, Mendon, Brookfield, and Quinsig- 
amond (called Worcester in 1684), destroyed by the recent 


120 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


Indian war, were all in the market for procuring settlers at 
this time. 

The disposition for removing from the old settled towns 
near Boston into a distant wilderness was much retarded by 
the knowledge that there were straggling bands of disaffected 
Indians (the remains of the several old native nations that 
escaped during the late war of Philip) hanging about the 
frontier settlements. It was found extremely difficult, at this 
time, to induce families to remove to any of these plantations. 
Woodstock, being located further south, and removed some¬ 
what from these encroachments, was the most successful; 
while it secured its required families of English settlers, the 
other plantations received but few. The grantees of Oxford, 
fearing the stipulated time in their grant would expire before 
their requisite number of families could be obtained for 
planting upon the same, applied to the Court for an extension 
of its limits, in this respect, which was granted, as before 
stated, extending the time three years from 1685. This was 
the year, it will be noticed, of the Revocation (by Louis XIY, 
of France) of the Edict of Nantes. 

The French Protestants, called Huguenots, had for many 
years been suffering unprecedented cruelties and persecutions 
for their religious faith, but more aggravating and relentless 
during the twenty years immediately preceding this repeal, 
which had become unendurable, causing vast numbers of this 
conscientious and pure-minded people to exile themselves and 
families from their native country. All countries where there 
was protection for their faith received many of this distressed 
people. The greater number removed to the Netherlands 
and to England, and from thence many, through the aid of 
the benevolent, and from their own resources, found tlieir 
way to the rising English colonies in America.* They had, 


* See M. Charles Weiss’ History of the French Protestant Refugees, vol. i, book 4, 
p. 32G; also, see Hume’s History of England, vol. vj, pp. 263-2G4. 



EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


121 


at an earlier period, sought this refuge, before their persecu¬ 
tions were so unbearable, and there were those who, in small 
numbers, were found among the founders of some of the first 
English colonies* here, leaving their native country during 
the siege of Rochelle, from 1627-1628. 

“This extraordinary exodus of the French Protestants 
from France, through persecution, is unequaled in modern 
history, and nothing scarcely exhibits, with equal impressive 
force, the short-sighted policy of the ruler of a great nation, 
unless it be the expulsion of the Moors from Spain.”f 

This may be properly considered as one of the leading 
causes which lost to France her vast empire in America; ‘she 
proscribed all Protestants from settling in her American 
colonies, and by her policy furnished numerical strength and 
power to her antagonist, English colonies. 

These persecutions excited the sympathies of all Protestant 
people, and wherever they sought a refuge they were received 
with kindness and hospitality. It was this spirit which, no 
doubt, induced the proprietors of this grant to seek for these 
exiles to supply the families required for their plantation. 

The character of the English colonies in America, in rela¬ 
tion to their religion and spirit of political liberty, was well- 
known to the intelligent Protestants of France, as well as to 
those of England; and it is known that their attention was 
directed to these colonies for a place of escape. The follow¬ 
ing letter is a partial exhibit of this state of feeling in favor 
of this country. This was written at Rochelle, in France, 
October 1, 1684:f 


* Broadhead’s History of New York, pp. 459, 692, 715, 730, 734-749. New York was the 
principal resort of the Huguenots who came to America before the repeal of the Edict of 
Nantes. The Hollanders, who founded this colony, known for their spirit of toleration, 
received and protected alike those of different religious faith. Massachusetts received 
some of these early Huguenots at the first planting of that colony: those who lelt at the 
fall of Koclielle, in 1628; the writer’s ancestor was of that class. 

t See Weiss, vol. i, p. 249. It is estimated that 80,000 of these Huguenots established 
themselves in England in two years prior and subsequent to the Revocation, 
t This letter is quoted in partin another place. 

9 



122 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


“ God grant that I and my family were with you; we should not have 
been exposed to the fury of our enemies, who rob us of the goods which 
God hath given to us to the subsistence of our souls and body. I shall 
not assume to write all the miseries we suffer, which can not be compre¬ 
hended in a letter, but in many books. I shall tell you briefly, that our 
temple is condemned, and razed, our ministers banished forever, all 
their goods confiscated; and, moreover, they are condemned to a fine of 
a thousand crowns. All the other temples are razed, except the temple 
of Re and two or three others. 

‘ ‘ By an Act of Parliament we are hindered to be masters of any trade 
or skill. We expect every day the Lord-Governor of Guyenne, who will 
put soldiers into our houses, and take away our children to be offered to 
the Idol, as they have done in other parts of the country. 

“All of us hope for God’s help, to whose providence we submit our¬ 
selves,”* 

It ife well known that about the year 1686 the grantees 
of Oxford introduced into this plantation thirty families of 
French Protestants, and that they remained in a body on the 
same about ten years; that they had erected a meeting-house, 
and had their minister, who held regular meetings for religious 
worship with them, for a period of nine years. They also 
had erected a grist-mill, saw-mill, and a wash leather-mill, 
and it is believed that they had to some extent commenced 
the manufacture of tar and turpentine. They had made what 
they deemed reasonable protection against the assaults of 
enemies by the erection of two forts as works of defense. 

Their advancement in numbers and stability, as an organ¬ 
ized town, had become such, in the year 1693, that the General 
Court of the province passed an act granting the town of 
Oxford the right to send to the Legislature a representative. 

Furthermore, it appears that Gabriel Bernon, a French¬ 
man from Bochelle, France, had been instrumental in ship¬ 
ping from England many of these French families to Boston, 
which he did through the information received from Major 
Robert Thompson, whom he met in England, and who gave 


* See Mass. Hist. Collections, vol. n, 3d series, p. 58. 



EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


123 


assurance of their receiving land for a plantation. It is evi¬ 
dent, also, that the land was furnished them at New Oxford, 
as then called, and that these French families did settle there, 
and were of the number that formed the plantation.* 

Through the period of the existence of this plantation, 
Gabriel Bernon was their principal factor and chief reliance 
for aid, and it is clear that Mr. Bernon expended considerable 
sums of money there, and that it was through him that all the 
mills were erected for the encouragement of the settlement. 

From all the evidence that has been seen, it is quite certain 
that the credit of introducing this colony of French Protest¬ 
ants upon the grant for Oxford belongs to Major Bobert 
Thompson and Gabriel Bernon. 

Mr. Bernon was a man of considerable distinction in France, 
having first fled from persecution from the city of Bochelle, 
to Holland, and from thence to England, where, through an 
introduction to Major Bobert Thompson (then President of 
the Corporation for Propagating the Gospel among the 
Indians of New England), by Mr. Teffereau, Treasurer of the 
Protestant Churches of France, he was induced to give aid to 
quite a number of these French families to ship themselves 
to New England. They came to Boston with letters of intro¬ 
duction and credit to the Hon. Joseph Dudley and Hon. 
William Stoughton, joint grantees for the township of Oxford, 
with Major Thompson, who took measures to locate them 
there, and to put them in possession of land in that plan¬ 
tation. Their object, as is stated by Mr. Bernon, was “ to 
come over to New England to settle a plantation for their 
refuge. 

It appears that there were many families of these French 
Protestants that arrived at Boston in the summer of 1686. 


* See Maes. Hist. Collections, vol. n, 3d series, pp. 61, 67, and 69; also, see Weiss, vol. n, 
pp. 304-306. Letters of Daniel Bondet, their minister, 
f See Mass. Hist. Collections, vol. n, 3d series, pp. 67-69. 




124 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


Dr. Snow, in his “ History of Boston,” remarks, in relation 
to these exiles who came to America: u Those who arrived 
here probably came in the summer of 1686, for contributions 
were taken on their behalf at Salem in September of that 
year.” And the Rev. William Bentley, in his “ Description 
of Salem,” says: “ In September, 1686, twenty-six pounds 
were contributed for the relief of the French Protestants who 
came to New England.” “ Whole families associated in 
Boston, but not any families at Salem.” “ The greater 
part went to the Southern States, particularly to South 
Carolina.” And Mr. Snow further says: “ And we also find 
in Cotton Mather’s ‘ Manuscript Notes of Sermons,’ under 
date of September 12, and October 7, 1686, minutes of 
discourses by a Mr. Laurie, from the tenor of which it.is 
apparent that he was of the number.”* 

Also, Mrs. Sigourney, in her “ Legends of Oxford,” has the 
following: 

“ It was in the depth of the winter of 1686 that a ship, tossed by 
the contending .storms, and repeatedly repulsed from the bleak New 
England coast, was seen slowly entering the harbor of Boston. It was 
thronged with Huguenot families, who, haggard from the sufferings of 
their protracted voyage, were eager to obtain repose.” 

As Mrs. Sigourney gives no authority for this statement as 
to time of this arrival, it is presumed to be a traditional 
report. 

It is quite certain that during the year of 1686 several 
vessels arrived at the port of Boston, having as passengers, 
more or less in number of these French Protestants. 

It is inferred from the evidence contained in the foregoing 
statements and quotations, and the following statement of 
Gabriel Bernon, that Isaac Bertrand du Tuffeau and some 
associates were the first of these French families that settled 


* See Snow’s History of Boston, p. 200 ; also, Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, vol. vi, 1st 
series, p. 265, and also vol. n, 3d series, p. 68 ; also see Weiss’ History of French Pro¬ 
testant Refugees, vol. i, pp. 331, 334, 344, and vol. n, same, pp. 305-306, 318. 



EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


125 


at Oxford, and that from this nucleus was opened the way 
tor others ol these French families who were induced, by 
Messrs. Dudley and Stoughton, to join them to complete the 
thirty families that were required by the condition in the 
grant: 

“Mr. Bernon states that he was of one of the most ancient families 
in Rochelle, in France ; that, upon the breach of the Edict of Nantes, to 
shun persecution, lie fled to London;* that, upon his arrival, Mr. 
Telfereau, Esq., Treasurer of the Protestant Church of France, presented 
him to the Honorable Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the 
Indians of New England; that Mr. Thompson, the President, offered to 
install him in the said Society, and offered him land in the government of 
the Massachusetts Bay; whereupon, Isaac Bertrand du Tuffeau desired 
him to assist him to come over to New England to settle a plantation for 
their refuge, which he did, and furnished him means for beginning the 
settlement.” 

“That Du Tuffeau arrived in Boston with letters of credit from Major 
Thompson and himself, and delivered them to his Excellency, Joseph 
Dudley, and the Honorable William Stoughton, who granted to the said 
Du Tuffeau 750 acres of land for him (Bernon), at New Oxford, where 
he laid out or spent the money he had furnished him ; that by letters 
received from Du Tuffeau he was induced to remove to Boston, shipping 
himself, his family and servants, with some other families, and paid pas¬ 
sage for above forty persons ; that on their arrival at Boston, he pre¬ 
sented letters from Major Thompson to Dudley and Stoughton, who 
were pleased, besides the 750 acres that were granted to Bertrand du 
Tuffeau and to him, to grant him 1,750 acres more, and for a more 
authentic security, his Excellency was pleased to accompany him to 
Oxford, to put him into possession of the two thousand and five hundred 
acres.” 


* “ Gabriel Bernon was born at Rochelle, in France, April 6, 1644. He was a man of 
large property, and hereditary register of Rochelle. On account of his religious opinions he 
was imprisoned two years in that place, and on his release went and lived about a year in 
Holland ; from thence he came to America (came, no doubt, via London, and thence to 
America). He lived first in Boston about ten years, and about same length of time at New¬ 
port and Narrangansett, and then removed to Providence, and died there, February 1, 1736, 
aged ninety-two. He was buried under the St. John’s church, Providence, with unusual 
marks of respect. He had ten children by his first wife, eight of whom came to this 
country with him. By his second wife, Mary Harris, he had four children. While in 
Holland his daughter, Esther, married Adam Ap. Howell, a Welshman. She died a widow, 
October 20, 1746, aged sixty-nine. Esther, her daughter, married Judge James llelme ; 
died, March 22, 1764, aged forty-six. The Coddingtons, Whipples, Crawfords, Jenckes, 
Allens, and Tourtellot families of Rhode Island are connected with the Bernons.’’ See 
vol. hi, Rhode Island Hist. Soc. Collections, pp. 314-315; also, Arnold’s History of Rhode 
Island, vol. ii, p. 116. 




126 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


In corroboration of the fact of Mr. Bernon’s interest in this 
plantation, that he erected on these lands the grist-mill, saw¬ 
mill, and wash-leatlier-mill, as before related. This was sub¬ 
sequently certified to by William Stoughton, Jeremiah Burner, 
Ilev. Increase Mather, Grovernor Usher, Nehemiah Walter, 
minister; Charles Morton, minister; Peter Baillie, minister 
of the French church ; Benjamin Faneuil, John Butcher, 
Jacques Mantier, James Beaudoin, Jacques Depau, J. Dupau, 
Captain Jermon, Andrew Sigourney, John Milleton, Peter 
Cantau, and several others, besides the widows of John 
Evans and John Johnson, killed by the Indians.* 

“ The oldest manuscript that I have seen,” says Dr. Holmes, “relating 
to the settlement of the French colony at Oxford, is an original paper 
containing articles of agreement between Caleb Church, of Watertown, 
millwright, and Gabriel Bernon, of Boston, merchant, concluded in 
March, 1689, by which the said Church covenants and agrees to erect a 
corn or grist mill in the village of Oxford. This instrument was sealed 

and delivered in presence of J. Bertrand Du-(obscure; no doubt 

Du Tuffeau), and Thomas Dudley.” 

“Church’s acknowledgment of a receipt in full is signed at Boston, 
February 4, 1689-90, the witnesses to which were Peter Basset and 
Gabriel Dupont. 

“The contract is endorsed, Contrat de M. Church pour le Moulin de 
New Oxford. 

“We can clearly trace the French plantation down to the year 1696, 
at which time it was broken up by an incursion of the Indians.” 

There were killed by the Indians, at this time, John Evans, 
John Johnson, and his three children. 

On this dispersion- of this French colony from Oxford, 
it appears that many, if not most of them, returned to 
Boston.f 


* See vol. ii, 3d series Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, pp. 67-69. 

t See vol. ii, 3d series Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, p. 31. Dr. Holmes remarks, “that to 
the kindness of Mr. Andrew Sigourney, of Oxford, he was indebted for nearly all the valua¬ 
ble materials for his memoir relating to the French colony at Oxford. In aid of his inqui¬ 
ries he made a journey to Providence for the sole purpose of procuring forme the Bernon 
Papers, which he brought to me at Cambridge. These papers were in the possession of 
Philip Allen, Esq., of Providence, who married into the Bernon family, and who has since 
indulged me with the manuscripts to the extent of my wishes.” 

























































































































































































































































. 











ORIGINAL DIVISION OF THE TOWN OF OXFORD 






















EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


127 


The first acts of importance of the grantees of Oxford and 
their associates, after providing the thirty families as perma¬ 
nent settlers for fulfilling the condition upon which the grant 
was made, was to appropriate the residue of these lands after 
setting apart the portion allowed for such settlers. 

It has been a matter of some interest to know who were 
all the associates connected with the parties as grantees, viz.: 
Major Robert Thompson, William Stoughton, and Joseph 
Dudley. Much research has been had for the map said to 
have been made from the minutes of the first survey by John 
Gore, before referred to, and for a map of division, to which 
Dr. Abiel Holmes referred as having seen while writing 
his memoirs of this Huguenot settlement, but neither have 
been found ; and, furthermore, Dr. Holmes has not given 
the names of the associates, nor the exact description of the 
plan of division; but, fortunately, in the month of October, 
1872, when at the rooms of the Historical Society of Hew 
York, and in the course of some conversation with the 
Secretary, George H. Moore, Esq., he remarked that he 
had received from a friend in London a parchment deed 
of allotment of the lands in the grant for Oxford, Massa¬ 
chusetts, that had been discovered there about three months 
since. 

On receiving and examining this parchment instrument, it 
was found to contain all the facts, supplying character of sur¬ 
vey, the form of plan, showing the exact division among the 
proprietors, with their names, and that set apart for the set¬ 
tlers, which, as copied, is as follows : 

ALLOTMENTS OF LAND IN OXFORD. 

(This is a curious document, made and entered into by the 
original grantees and their associates of this town, defining 
their rights as proprietors. It is elegantly executed, in the 
original, on parchment.) 


128 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


“To all to whom these presents shall come: Joseph Dudley, of Rox- 
bury, in the county of Suffolk, and William Stoughton, of Dorchester, 
in the said county, Esquires, Major Robert Thompson, of the city of 
London, merchant, and Daniel Cox, of the same, doctor of physic, and 
John Blackwell, of Boston, in ye said county of Suffolk, Esquires, send 
greeting; Whereas, his most gracious Majesty, James the Second, by the 
grace of God, of England, and Scotland, and Ireland, King, Defender 
of the Faith, etc., by his grant, under the great seal of his Majesty’s 
territory and dominion of New England, in America, thereunto affixed, 
and bearing date at Boston, the eleventh day of January, in the third 
year of his reign, by and with the consent of his Majesty’s Council in 
New England, aforesaid, of his Majesty’s special grace, hath given, 
granted, and ratified, and confirmed, unto the said Joseph Dudley, Wil¬ 
liam Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox, Esqrs., all that 
tract of land called and known by the name of Oxford, situate, lying, 
and being in the Nipmuck country, in the county of Suffolk, within his 
Majesty’s said territory and dominion of New England, in America, be¬ 
ginning at the south-west corner of Worcester town bounds, and running 
by a line of marked trees south one degree and ten minutes westerly, 
one thousand four hundred and forty rods, to a tree marked (S. D.), and 
is the north-most bounds of Manehang farm, and so continue by a line 
of marked trees, and said farm south fifteen degrees easterly, §ix hun¬ 
dred and seventy-four rods to a walnut-tree, marked (S. D.), and is the 
south-west corner of Mancliang, aforesaid; and from thence in south by 
a line of marked trees, west fifteen degrees southerly, fifteen hundred 
twenty-one rods; and from thence continues in length w T est five degrees 
southerly, eighteen hundred and nineteen rods, to a great heap of stones, 
and a stake in the middle; and is then in breadth, on the west end, by 
a line of marked trees, north nineteen hundred sixty-eight rods; and 
from thence in length, on the north side, east twelve degrees northerly, 
three thousand two hundred and sixteen rods to the south-west corner of 
the said Worcester town bounds. The whole contained within the said 
bounds, hills, valleys, swamps and marshes, being 41,245 acres, laid 
down according to the magnetical variations, being ten degrees thirty 
minutes from the north-westward, as by the return of the survey and 
plat thereof doth and may appear; together with all and singular the 
mesuages, tenements, edifices, buildings, trees, timber, woods, fields, 
foodings, pastures, marshes, moors, swamps, meadows, ponds, pools, 
rivers, rivulets, water and water-courses, fishing, fowling, hawkings, and 
huntings, and all other privileges, profits, benefits, advantages, heredita¬ 
ments and appurtenances whatsoever, doth said grant of land and prem¬ 
ises belonging, or in anywise appertaining. To have and to hold the 
said premises, with their and every of their appurtenances unto them, 
the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


129 


Cox, their heirs and assigns, to the sole and only proper use, benefit and 
behoof of them, their heirs and assigns forever; yielding, rendering, and 
paying thenceforth, yearly, and every year on the Feast of the Annun¬ 
ciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, forever, unto his Majesty, his heirs 
and successors, the annual rent or sum of five pounds current money in 
New England, aforesaid, in lieu and stead of all rents, services, dues, 
duties, and demands whatsoever, for the said grant of land and premises, 
as in and by the said grant, relation being thereunto had for better cer¬ 
tainty thereof, it doth or may more fully and at large appear. And, 
whereas, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thomp¬ 
son, and Daniel Cox, had heretofore associated and taken unto themselves 
the fore-named John Blackwell, to become and equally to share with 
them in one full fifth part of the premises; the whole, in five equal parts, 
to be divided; to hold to him, the said John Blackwell, his heirs and 
assigns forever. And, whereas, the said Joseph Dudley, William 
Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, and John Blackwell have 
agreed upon disposing and allotting and setting out the whole premises, 
as hereinafter particularly expressed or mentioned: that is to say, one 
lesser tract, being part or parcel of the premises, and lying at or within 
the east end thereof; beginning at a pine-tree, standing at or upon 
the utmost part of the south-west angle of the town of Worcester, and 
thence to be set out by a straight line, running south, one degree and 
ten minutes west, as far as a tree marked (S. D.) being at or upon 
the utmost part of the north-west angle of Manchang, being fourteen 
hundred and forty perches; and thence meering on the easterly part of 
the premises by or with the lands of Manchang, aforesaid, south fifteen 
degrees east, at the whole length of Manchang lands, being six hundred 
seventy-four perches to a walnut-tree, marked (S.D.), which stands at 
or upon the outmost part of the south-most angle of the said Manchang 
lands; and from the said walnut-tree running by a straight line west, 
fifteen degrees south, nine hundred and ninety-six perches: that is to 
say, to a white-oak-tree, marked with the lot and the following, viz.: 
on the easterly side thereof (O. V.), signifying the extreme westerly 
bounds of Oxford village; on the westerly side thereof with (O.), signi¬ 
fying the easterly bounds of Oxford town, or the Grand Proprietors’ 
lots; and on the north side thereof, with (D. B. S. C. T.), signifying 
that the dividing line between the said town and village is to be set out 
in the same course and order, due north for each of the said proprietors, 
that is to say: The first of the said lots to or for the said Joseph Dud¬ 
ley; the second to or for the said John Blackwell; the fifth of the said 
lots, lying next to the said second, to or for the said William Stough¬ 
ton ; the fourth, lying next to the said fifth, to or for the said Daniel 
Cox; and the third of the said lots, lying next to the said fourth, to or 
for the said Robert Thompson, so that the said white-oak, so marked 


130 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


and lettered as aforesaid, is to be the south-west angle of the said Oxford 
village, by running a straight line from the south due north two thou¬ 
sand one hundred eighty-one perches, which is to the northerly bounds 
of the said whole tract, and from the north end of the said line, 
by a straight line running east twelve degrees north, eight hundred 
and seventy-two perches to make a per-close at the fore-mentioned 
pine-tree, or south-west angle of Worcester, where this perambulation 
began, containing 11,245 acres of the premises granted as aforesaid, 
be the same more or less, and that the same shall be denominated 
and called Oxford Village, or the General Plantation, and shall be 
allotted or otherwise set out, and distributed to and amongst such per¬ 
sons and in such proportions or shares and places within the limits of the 
said village, as they, the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, 
Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, and John Blackwell, or the major part 
of them, that shall from time to time be resident in New England, and 
the attorneys or agents of such as shall be authorized thereunto by the 
absentees, shall think fit by deeds under their respective hands and 
seals, to the use of such persons, their heirs and assigns forever, to hold 
to such respective persons, the planters thereof, their heirs and assigns, 
at and under such yearly quit rents, payable to them, the said Joseph 
Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, and John 
Blackwell, their heirs and assigns, as by them or the major part of them 
as aforesaid, shall be agreed, limited, and reserved, or mentioned in 
their respective grants thereof unto such planters; provided always, and 
excepting and reserving out of the said village unto the parties to these 
presents, their heirs and assigns, a way of twenty perches in breadth, 
and two thousand one hundred eighty-one perches in length, from 
south to north, containing two hundred and sixty-five acres, be the 
same more or less, with the timber, trees, rivers, waters, appurtenances, 
and hereditaments, lying on or within the west side of the said Village 
or General Plantation : To lie in common and undivided unto and 
amongst the parties to these presents, to their heirs and assigns forever; 
and the residue and remainder of the said whole tract so granted by his 
Majesty as aforesaid, unto the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, 
Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox (lying west of the said Village or Gen¬ 
eral Plantation), shall be allotted, distributed, and set out in five equal 
parts, shares, or proportion, for quantity, according to the manner, order^ 
or course of allotments aforesaid, and as hereinafter is more particularly 
mentioned; and whereas, pursuant to and by the directions of the said 
Robert Thompson and Daniel Cox, they, the said Joseph Dudley, 
William Stoughton, and John Blackwell, have caused a survey of the 
said whole tract of land so granted by his Majesty as aforesaid, to 
be as exactly as may be taken for ascertaining the bounds thereof, and 
a plat of the same to be drawn therein, as well as the said lesser tract, 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORIL 


131 


called Oxford Village, or the General Plantation, as five such parts of 
the residue and remainder of the said whole premises, and each of them, 
as are severally laid down, delineated, and bounded, and expressed by 
numbers or capital letters in the order or course aforesaid. And for as 
much as in regard of the uncertainty of the respective value or worth 
and goodness of each of the said respective lots, parts, shares, or propor¬ 
tions drawn and laid down as aforesaid; and for as much as the east end 
of each of them adjoins upon and meers with the common waylaid down 
and taken out of the fore-mentioned Village or General Plantation already 
begun to be planted (by reason whereof they will each partake of the 
known benefit redounding to plantations by the neighborhood and coun¬ 
tenance of the first planters of such wilderness lands), it seems to be the 
most equal and indifferent way of laying out and dividing the same in 
order to the allotting thereof. Now, these presents witnesseth that the 
said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel 
Cox, by and with the consent and good liking of the said John Black- 
well (testified by his being party to these presents, and perfecting thereof 
under his hand and seal), and they, all for themselves severally and re¬ 
spectively, and for their several and respective heirs and assigns, do 
agree and declare that the names of them, the said Joseph Dudley, 
William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox, in the fore-men¬ 
tioned grant named and used in trust, as well as for the said John Black- 
well, his heirs and assigns, for one full fifth part thereof, as for them, 
the said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and 
Daniel Cox, their several and respective heirs and assigns, for four other 
several and respective full fifth parts of the same. And they, the said 
Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, 
severally and respectively, do accordingly covenant, grant, and agree to 
and with the said John Blackwell, his heirs and assigns, and to and with 
each other of themselves, severally and respectively, and their several 
and respective heirs and assigns, by these presents, that the grant afore¬ 
mentioned, made by his Majesty, of all and singular the premises as 
aforesaid, and all other grants, conveyances, and assurances heretofore 
had, made, and executed of any premises, or that shall or may at any 
time hereafter be had, made, or executed by his Majesty, or by them, the 
said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel 
Cox, or any of them, or their or any of their heirs or assigns, or any 
others, shall be and enure, and so shall be construed, deemed, taken, and 
adjudged in all times hereafter, to be and enure unto them, the said 
Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Robert Thompson, Daniel Cox, and 
John Blackwell, severally and respectively as for one several fifth part 
of all and singular the premises to each of them severally and respect¬ 
ively, and to their and every and each of their several and respective 
heirs’and assigns forever ; and that the said Joseph Dudley, William 


132 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


Stoughton, Robert Thompson, and Daniel Cox, and the survivors or 
survivor of them and their heirs, and the heirs of the survivor of them, 
shall and will stand and be seized of and in the premises, and every 
part thereof, in manner and to the several uses, intents, and purposes, 
and under the conditions, provisions, exceptions, reservations, covenants 
and agreements in and by these presents set forth, limited, expressed, 
mentioned, or declared, according to the true intent and meaning of these 
presents, and to no other use, intent, or purpose whatsoever,—that is to 
say, the first lot, share, or proportion, as the same is in the fore-men¬ 
tioned plot expressed and laid down under the denomination of No. 1, 
containing one fifth part of all and singular the said last-mentioned bigger 
tract and premises, the whole thereof in five equal parts (for quantity), 
divided as aforesaid in severalty, to lie and begin at the fore-mentioned 
white-oak, lettered as aforesaid, being the south-west angle of the fore- 
mentioned common way, laid down and taken out of the said Village 
or General Plantation, and to be extended thence west fifteen degrees 
south by a straight line five hundred and twenty-five perches to the 
letter PI, and thence by a straight line west, five degrees south, six 
hundred and twelve perches to the letter I, and thence to be continued 
by the same degrees, twelve hundred and seven perches to the utmost 
south-west angle of the whole tract to a stake driven in a heap of stones, 
and thence to run by a straight line due north, three hundred and eighty- 
nine perches, to the letter A. on the west end, and from thence by 
straight line drawn east seven degrees and a half north, two thousand 
three hundred and forty-four perches to the letter A on the east end, viz.: 
to an oaken stake, square, driven in a meadow near the river that runs 
by and from the French houses, marked D on the south, and B on the 
north side of the said stake, and from the said letter A on the east end 
by a line drawn due south, three hundred and eighty-nine perches, to 
make a per-close thereof at the said white-oak, standing where the ad¬ 
measurement of the said first lot began, containing, in the said lot No. 1, 
six thousand acres, be the same more or less, to the use of him, the 
said Joseph Dudley, his heirs and assigns for ever. The second lot, or 
No. 2, to begin at the said square oak stake driven as aforesaid at the 
north end of the fore-mentioned three hundred and eighty-nine perches, 
at the letter A on the east end, and to be thence extended by a straight 
line due north, four hundred and forty-eight perches to the letter B at 
the said east end, to a stake driven near the north-east angle of Augutte- 
back Pond, and from thence by a straight line drawn west, nine degrees 
south, to the letter B on the west end, and from thence by a straight 
line to be drawn due south, three hundred and ninety-four perches and 
three quarters of a perch, to make a per-close with the first fore-mentioned 
lot No. 1, at the letter A on the west end, containing the like quantity 
of six thousand acres, be the same more or less, to the use of the said 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


133 


John Blackwell, his heirs and assigns, for ever. The third lot, No. 3, 
to begin at the north-west angle of the fore-mentioned common way, at 
the letter C, on the east end, and to be extended thence by a line drawn 
west, twelve degrees south, to the north-west angle of the said whole 
grant; two thousand three hundred and forty-four perches, to the letter 
C on the west end, and from thence by a due south line, three hundred 
and ninety-four perches and three fourths of a perch to the letter D on 
the said west end, and thence to turn back by a straight line drawn 
cast, eleven degrees north, to the letter D on the east end, and thence 
to make a per-close at the letter C on the said east end, by a due north 
line of four hundred and forty-eight perches, containing the like quan¬ 
tity of six thousand acres, be the same more or less, to the use of him, 
said Robert Thompson, his heirs and assigns, for ever. The fourth lot, 
No. 4, to begin at the south-east angle of the last-mentioned lot, No. 3, 
and from the letter D on the east end to be extended due south four 
hundred and forty-eight perches to the letter E on the east end, and 
from thence by a straight line to be drawn west, ten degrees south, to 
the letter E on the west end, and from thence due north, three hundred 
and ninety-four perches and three quarters of a perch, to make a per- 
close with the third fore-mentioned lot at the letter D on the west 
end, containing the like quantity of six thousand acres, be the same 
more or less, to the use of the said Daniel Cox, his heirs and assigns, 
forever. The fifth lot, No. 5, to begin at the south-east angle of the 
last-mentioned lot, No. 4, at the letter E, on the east end, at a pine 
stake, with stone about it, marked and lettered with black-lead, viz.: 
C on the north side, and B on the south, and to be thence extended 
due south four hundred and forty-eight rods to the letter B on the east 
end, to the stake driven near the north-east angle of Augutteback 
Pond aforesaid, and thence to lie westward between the last-mentioned 
southerly line of the fourth lot, from E aforesaid on the east end to E 
on the west end, and the fore-mentioned northerly line of the second lot, 
from the letter B on the east end, to the letter B on the west end, and 
by a line from the letter B on the west end, to the letter E on the west 
end, at the length of three hundred ninety-four perches and three quar¬ 
ters of a perch to make a per-close of the fifth lot, containing the like 
quantity of six thousand acres, be the same more or less, to the use of 
him, the said William Stoughton, his heirs and assigns, forever. So 
always, as no matter of claim, demand, benefit, or advantage shall be 
claimed, or required, or taken by any of the parties to these presents, of, 
from, or against any of the other parties to the same, who shall happen 
to die before the executing other several deeds to the said several and 
respective persons and uses, their heirs or assigns, for or by reason, oi 
upon account of the survivorship of any of the said parties hereunto or 
under pretense of any joint tenantcies therein; provided always, and 


134 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


excepting and reserving thereout on the east side of the west end of the 
six hundred and twelve perches, marked by a divisional line between 
the easterly and westerly moieties of the said grand lot, a way of twenty 
perches in breadth, from the letter I on the south end to the letter I on 
the north end, to lie in common and undivided to the general use of the 
parties to these presents, their heirs and assigns forever; provided also, 
that two seventh parts of the fore-mentioned fourth lot, granted and 
allotted as aforesaid, to and for the said Daniel Cox, shall be, according 
to former agreements, set out unto and for, and held and enjoyed by 
Thomas Freak, of Hannington, in the county of Wilts, in the kingdom 
of England, Esquire, by a straight line, to begin at the south-east angle 
of the fore-mentioned third lot, at the letter D on the east end, and to 
be thence extended due south one hundred and twenty-eight perches in 
breadth to the letter E on the east end, and thence to be run by a straight 
line west, eleven degrees south, to the letter E on the west end, to be 
thence per-closed with the letter D on the west end, containing in the 
said subdivision seventeen hundred and fourteen acres, be the same 
more or less, to the use of the said Thomas Freak, his heirs and assigns, 
forever; and also, that two other seventli parts of the said lot, afore¬ 
mentioned fourth lot, shall be according to assignment of him, the said 
Daniel Cox, set out by a straight line, to begin at the north-east angle of 
the afore-mentioned fifth lot at the letter E on the east end, and to be 
thence extended due north one hundred and twenty-eight perches in 
breadth, to the letter C on the east end, and thence to be run by a 
straight line west ten degrees south, with the letter C on the west end. 
To be per-closed with the letter E on the west end, by a due south line, 
at the breadth of one hundred and twelve perches and a half a perch, 
containing in the said subdivision the like quantity of seventeen hundred 
and fourteen acres, be the same more or less, to the use of him, the 
said John Blackwell, his heirs and assigns, forever. And, lastly, it is in 
like manner provided and agreed by and between all the parties to these 
presents, and they do all of them, for themselves severally and respec¬ 
tively, and for their several and respective heirs and assigns, covenant, 
promise, and agree to and with each other respectively, and to and with 
the respective heirs and assigns of each other, that in case the yearly 
rents that are or shall from time to time become payable to his Majesty, 
his heirs and successors, for the whole premises, shall not be so laid and 
levied as to ascertain the due payment thereof, that the same, or what¬ 
soever part thereof shall remain in and due, together with the charges 
and damages accruing thereby, shall, proportionably to each person’s 
interest and share, be collected amongst them, and paid and borne by 
them, for the satisfying thereof, and they do, by these presents, severally 
and respectively bind themselves and their several and respective heirs 
and assigns to make payment thereof accordingly. 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


135 


In witness whereof, the parties to these presents first above-named, 
have hereunto set their hands and seals. Dated the third day of July, 
in the fourth year of his Majesty’s reign, Anno Domini, one thousand 
six hundred and eighty-eight.” 

The foregoing instrument is signed by Joseph Dudley, 
William Stoughton, and John Blackwell, having each a seal 
attached to the parchment by a loop, with two other seals of 
the same description for Robert Thompson and Daniel Cox, 
without their signatures, making five seals attached at the 
bottom of the parchment like pendants. 

It is witnessed by Samuel Witty, Edward Robinson, and 
William Blackwell, the latter, probably, a relative of Captain 
John Blackwell, one of the associates; also, it is witnessed by 
Daniel Bondet, the minister of the French colony, who states 
in a letter, in another place in this work, that he resided here 
as the minister of these colonists nine years, and was also 
employed by the Society for Propagating the Gospel Among 
the Indians of Hew England at this place. It has another of 
the French colonists for a witness, T. B. Du Tuffeau, who, it 
is related in another place, was the agent of Gabriel Bernon, 
and one of the first of the colonists who began the French 
plantation in Oxford village. 

This document is valuable otherwise besides showing; these 
signatures as aforesaid, in referring to the French houses that, 
at this time, in the year 1688, were located near the river, on 
this Oxford plantation. Altogether, it is the most important 
paper thus far seen, testifying of the actual French plantation, 
at this early period, within the limits of this town. 

This parchment instrument is about two feet scpiare ; a por¬ 
tion written in German text, and the writing otherwise neatly 
executed. It was found in London in May, 1872, and is now 
in possession of the Hew York Historical Society. Permitted 
to be copied by G. H. Moore, Escp, the secretary. 




CHAPTER II. 

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BREAKING UP OF THE FRENCH HUGUE¬ 
NOT PLANTATION, AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT HISTORY, WITH 
BRIEF ALLUSION TO OTHER EXILES OF THIS CLASS. 

T HE assault of the Indians upon this French colony, at 
New Oxford, as then called, was on the 23d of August, 
1596, by the Albany or Western Indians, as it has been 
stated, but most probably straggling Canadian natives, or 
some of the escaped fugitives that were engaged in the war of 
Philip. 

On the intelligence of these outrages, and of the appear¬ 
ance of hostile parties near Woodstock, Major James Fitch 
marched to that town. On the 2Ttli, a party was sent out of 
thirty-eight Norwich, Mohegan, and Nipmuck Indians, and 
twelve soldiers, to range the woods towards Lancaster, under 
Captain Daniel Fitch ; on their march they passed through 
Worcester, and discovered traces of the enemy in its vicinity. 

The following letter, of this commander, gives an account 
of their expedition : 

To the lit. Hon. William Stoughton , Esq ., Lieutenant- Governor and Com- ' 
mander-in- Chief, &c. 

“ Whereas, we were informed of several persons killed at Oxford, on 
Tuesday night last past (23d), and not knowing what danger might be 
near to Woodstock, and several other frontiers towards the western parts 
of the Massachusetts province, several persons appearing volunteers, 
both English and Indians, to the number of about fifty (concerning 
which the bearer, Mr. James Corbin, may more fully inform yo:r 
Honor), all of which were willing to follow the Indian enemy, hoping 
to find those that had done the late mischief; in prosecution whereof, 


EARLY" HISTORY OF OXFORD. 137 

we have ranged the woods to the westward of Oxford, and so to Wor¬ 
cester, and then to Lancaster, and were freely willing to spend some 
considerable time in endeavoring to find any of the enemy that may be 
upon Merrimack or Penicook rivers, or anywhere in the western woods; 
to which end we humbly request your Honor would be pleased to encour¬ 
age said design, by granting us some supply of provisions and ammuni¬ 
tion ; and, also, by strengthening us as to anything wherein we may 
be short in any respect, that so we may be under no disadvantage or 
discouragement. 

“ They may further inform your Honor that on the Sabbath-day 
(28th), coming at a place called Half-Way River, betwixt Oxford and 
Worcester, we came upon the fresh tracks of several Indians, which 
were gone towards Worcester, which we apprehend were the Indians 
that did the late damage at Oxford; and being very desirous to do some 
service that may be to the benefit of his Majesty’s subjects, we humbly 
crave your Honor’s favorable assistance. 

“Herein, I remain your Honor’s most humble servant, according to 
my ability.* 

“DANIEL FITCH. 

“Lancaster, 31st August, 1690.” 

It appears that the minister of this French colony, while 
they remained at Oxford, besides attending to the duties as 
pastor of this people, was employed by the Society for Pro¬ 
pagating the Gospel Among the Indians, at this place. 

He complained, in the year 1691, to the authorities of 
Massachusetts, of the sale of rum to the Indians, and its bad 
effects, and prays that this business may be restrained. 

The date of this communication, with a line or two, in¬ 
cluding the address, is missing ;.but it is indorsed, “ Mr. Daniel 
Bonders Representation, referring to- New Oxford, July 6, 
1691 .” 

He mentions it as upon an 

‘ ‘ Occasion which fills my heart with sorrow, and my life with trouble, 
but my humble request will be at least before God, and before you a 
solemn protestation against the guilt of those incorrigible persons who 
dwell in our place. The rum is always sold to the Indians without 


* See Lincoln’s History of Worcester, p. 37; also, for the persons killed, see Dr. Holmes’ 
Memoir, vol. n, 3d series, Mass. Hist. Collections, p. 60. 

10 



138 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


order and measure, insomuch that, according to complaint sent to me by 
Master Dickestean, with advice to present it to your Honor (to Lieut-Gov. 
Stoughton, most probably). On the 26th of last month there was 
about twenty Indians so furious, by drunkenness, that they fought like 
bears, and fell upon one called Remes—who is appointed for preaching 
the Gospel amongst them—he had been so much injured by his wounds 
that there is no hope of his recovery. If it was your pleasure to signify 
to the instruments of that evil the jealousy of your authority and of 
the public tranquility, you would do great good, maintaining the honor 
of God in a Christian habitation, comforting some honest souls, which, 
being incompatible with such abominations, feel every day the burden 
of affliction of their honorable peregrinations aggravated. Hear us, w r e 
pray, and so God be with you, and prosper all your just undertakings 
and applications, is the sincere wish of your most respectful servant, 

‘ ‘ DANIEL BONDET, 

‘ ‘ Minister of the Gospel in a 
French Congregation , at New Oxford 

The above communication was found by Mr. Bradford in 
the Secretary’s Office, State Department, Boston, by a search 
made at the request of Dr. Holmes, when writing his memoirs 
of these French Protestants. 

In another communication from Mr. Bondet, in 1695, it 
appears he was a French Protestant minister, who preached 
to the Indians at that time in this place.* 

There is another letter of Rev. Daniel Bondet, at a still 
later period, which did not come under the notice of Dr. 
Holmes, that is interesting in this respect. It is evidence as 
to the time of this small'colony’s settling at Oxford, and of 
his services there, and of the cause of the abandonment of the 
place by them; and is, also, important in explaining who 
he was, the length of time he served here, and his future 
services as the minister of the French colony of New Rochelle, 
in Westchester county, New York. 

This was an application to Lord Cornbury, designed, through 
him, to place himself and his church and society under the 


* See vol. ii, 3d series of Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, p. 61. 



EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


139 


care and protection of tlie English Missionary Society, known as 



Parts* 


This letter of Mr. Bondet, above referred to, is found in 
Weiss’ “ History ot the French Protestant Refugees,” trans¬ 
lated from the French by Henry William Herbert. It is 
introduced in connection with the “ Historical Sketch of the 
French Settlement of New Rochelle.” He says : 


* This society had then but recently been incorporated by the British Parliament for the 
principal object of propagating the faith and forms of the English church ; the English col¬ 
onies, wherever located, were made the missionary fields for this purpose. It was com¬ 
posed of men of the first standing and influence in that kingdom, not only clerically, but 
politically. The grand design was to encourage loyalty and subserviency to authority, but 
particularly to the British government. 

The leading men of England had noticed the tendency to self-government in their Ameri¬ 
can colonies ; and thus the design was to counteract this influence. At first it was thought 
best to establish literary institutions to mould public sentiment ; and later, the visit of 
George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne, to this country, in 1729, had for its object this purpose. 
The college at Williamsburg, “The William and Mary,” so named in honor of Queen Mary 
and her husband, William of Nassau (King William III), established in 1692, was one of the 
first moves. But the missionary plan, bringing this effort and its means directly in contact 
with the people, was concluded upon as the best and most effectual way of forming public 
sentiment. 

With this object in view, the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts was 
established in 1701. Many of the early Episcopal churches in the English colonies in Amer¬ 
ica were founded through the action of this missionary society. 

It has been noticed by the writer that the several great missionary societies created in 
England to operate in the American colonial field, have sometimes been confounded, one 
with another, when the operations of each had for its motive a distinct purpose, as follows: 

The first of these societies was “ The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Among the 
Indians of New England .” This was originated chiefly through the influence of the leading 
men in the government in Massachusetts, in connection with the ministers of the Gospel, 
Edward Winslow, Herbert Pelham, and Major Robert Thompson, acting conspicuous parts 
in creating public opinion in its favor in England; the first move for this object was by the 
General Court of Massachusetts, in 1646, which finally resulted in the act of incorporation 
of this society by Parliament in 1649. 

It was this society that appointed Rev. Daniel Bondet a missionary among the remaining 
Nipmuck Indians of the Indian town of Manchang, then Oxford village, where he began 
his labors with both the French colony and these natives in 1687. 


At this time Major Robert Thompson, the first named in the grant for Oxford was the 
president of this society. All contributions in England for this object were transmitted to 
the Commissioners for the United Confederation of the New England Colonies, who, with 
great prudence and fidelity, distributed the same. 

The third one of these societies, and no less prominent and effective in its missionary 
efforts, was that created by Presbyterian influence in 1709, styled “ The Society for the Pro¬ 
pagation of Christian Knowledge .” The operations of this society were more widely extended 
among the natives of the country than either of the two former. 

One of its most noticeable efforts was in connection with Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, who was 
settled as pastor of the Second Congregational Society of Lebanon, in Connecticut, 1735, 
and had established Moore’s Indian Charity School, which led to the founding of Dartmouth 

C ° Eleazer Wheelock was born in Windham, Connecticut, in April, 1711; died at Hanover, New 



140 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


“ The Rev. Daniel Bondet was their first minister; and, fortunately 
for our purposes, we have a letter written at that period, 1702, by this 
earliest Huguenot minister in Westchestcr county. It is a curious, au¬ 
thentic, and interesting document, translated from the French: 

« 

‘ To his Excellency , My Lord Corribury, Governor and Commander-in- Chief: 

‘ My Lord,— 

‘ I most humbly pray your Excellency to be pleased to take cog¬ 
nizance of the petitioner’s condition. I am a French Refugee Minister, 
incorporated into the body of the Ministry of the Anglican Church ; I 


Hampshire, April 24, 1779. A graduate of Yale college in 1733. His salary, when settled at 
Lebanon, was small, and to aid his resources he opened a select school for both English and 
the native scholars. The proficiency of an Indian boy, a Mohegan by birth, led him to estab¬ 
lish a missionary school to advance education and religion among the Indians. This boy was 
Samson Occom, born in 1723; died at New Stockbridge, New York. 1792. Ilis ability as a 
preacher was such, that Mr. Wheelock sent him to England in 1706, with Bev. Nathaniel 
Whitaker, to exhibit his power, and to show the intellectual ability possessed by the native 
race. Mr. Wheelock had, by the aid of a benevolent gentleman at Lebanon (Mr. Moore), 
who gave a large dwelling-house and two acres of land, established what was known as 
“ Moore’s Indian Charity School. ” This Samson Occom was the first Indian preacher who had 
visited England ; the object being mainly to obtain funds to increase the advantages and 
usefulness of this school. This effort succeeded beyond the expectation of its promoter; 
the curiosity to hear this native preacher was great, and had a powerful effect in inducing 
the benevolent to aid what appeared so good an object, the elevation of the native American 
race. £10,000 were the result of this labor. Lord Dartmouth was made the President of 
the Eugtish Board for managiug these funds; and this enabled Mr. Wheelock, through the 
donation of 40,000 acres of land by New Hampshire, to establish at Hanover, Dartmouth 
college, under the charter of December 10, 1769. 

Another society, known as the “ Moldavians,” or “ United Brethren,” was established by 
Count Nicholas Lewis, Lord of Zinzendorf and Pottendorf (who was born at Dresden, May 
26, 1700, and died May 9, 1760), in Upper Lusatia, about 1722, at a place known as Herrnhut. 

Over his door, the entrance to his house, was this verse : 

“ As guests we only remain, 

And hence this house is slight and plain. 

Therefore, turn to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope !—Zach., ix, 12. 

We have a better house above. 

And there we fix our warmest love.” 

He visited the Danish West India Islands in 1739, where, in 1734, his missionaries had 
established themselves; and returning to Europe he traveled there extensively, endeavor¬ 
ing l>y his efforts everywhere to establish his missionaries, whose duty it was, in their 
efforts in propagating the Gospel, to conform entirely to the simplicity of the primitive 
apostles ; and, as far as possible, to gain a support by their own labors, and to be true fol¬ 
lowers of the precepts, according to Jesus, as revealed by the new dispensation. The 
following is a stanza of a hymn composed by him on board of the vessel on his way to 
America : 

“Jesus, thy blood and righteousness, 

My beauty are, my glorious dress; 

’Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, 

With joy shall I lift up my head.” 

Again, in 1741, he determined to visit the English colonies in America; the previous year 
he had sent here the Rev. David Nitschuian, then bishop, to direct the missionary efforts 



/ 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 141 

removed, about fifteen years ago* into New England, with a company of 
Poor refugees, to whom lands were granted for their settlement, and to 
pi ovide for my subsistence I was allowed one hundred and five pieces 
per annum, from the funds of the Corporation for the Propagation of 
the Gospel among the Savages. I performed that duty during nine years , 
with a success approved and attested by those who presided over the 
affairs of that Province. 

‘ The murders which the Indians committed in these countries caused 
the dispersion of our company, some of whom fell by the hands of the 
barbarians. 

‘ I remained after that, two years in that Province (1G98), expecting 
a favorable season for the re-establishment of affairs; but, after waiting 
two years, seeing no appearance, and being invited to remove to this 
Province of New York by Col. Ileathcote, who always evinces an affec¬ 
tion for the public good, and distinguishes himself by a special ap¬ 
plication for the advancement of religion and good order, by the estab¬ 
lishment of churches and schools, the fittest means to strengthen and 
encourage the people, I complied with his request, and that of the com¬ 
pany of New Rochelle in this Province, where I passed five years on a 


which, in 1738, a number of his followers had planted in Georgia, but removed to 
Pennsylvania in 1744, and founded the seat of their operations in this country at Bethle¬ 
hem. He was accompanied by his daughter, the Countess Benigna, then about sixteen 
years of age. They sailed from Gravesend the 28th of September, and arrived in New 
York at the end of November. He traveled extensively in the Middle States and into 
Connecticut, especially among the different tribes of the Indians, and planted his mission¬ 
aries, who, through their simplicity, gained the friendship of the native race, and brought 
many to embrace the Gospel. On the 21st of July, 1742, the count came to Bethlehem, 
Pennsylvania, the watch-word for the day being, “ This is the day which the Lord hath 
made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” And on the 25th following, the anniversary 
of the presentation of the Augsburg Confessions, the Moravians at Bethlehem, with the aid 
of Count Zinzendorf, were formed into a church, according to the model of the original 
church he had formed at Herrnhut. The count preached the first sermon on this occasion, 
from the words, “ Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee.” Here he 
remained over the Sabbath. 

The churches at Bethlehem and Nazareth have since this time been the oentral point of 
this Christian denomination in America. 

Again, Count Zinzendorf preached on the 31st of December, 1742, in the newly-erected 
Moravian church in Philadelphia, which had a great effect upon his hearers. To avoid ex¬ 
citement, he left the assemblage privately, to pursue his journey to New York. His part¬ 
ing address to his friends was delivered at the house of Stephen Benczet, a French Protest¬ 
ant and an exemplary Christian, of Philadelphia, who was much interested in the fervent 
Christian spirit and simplicity of the count, and heartily engaged in his plans and move¬ 
ments. He sailed from New York in the James, June 9, 1743. 

The American Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Among the Indians and Others in 
North America was incorporated in 1787. Governor James Bowdoiu was the first piesidont. 
The American Society for Promoting Knowledge, Piety, and Charity was incorporated in 
1805—both in Massachusetts. 

* The date of this letter, 1702, in which he says he removed fifteen years ago to New 
England, will make his settlement at Oxford in 1087, where he remained nine years, which 
gives 1690 the date the plantation was broken up. 



142 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


small allowance, promised me by New Rochelle, of one hundred pieces 
and lodging, with that of one hundred and five pieces which the Cor¬ 
poration continued to me until the arrival of my Lord Bellamont, who, 
after indicating his willingness to take charge of me and my canton, 
ordered me thirty pieces in the Council of New York, and did me the 
favor to promise me, that, at his journey to Boston, he would procure 
me the continuation of that stipend I had in times past. But having 
learned at Boston, through M. Nanfau, his lieutenant, that I annexed 
my signature to an ecclesiastical certificate, which the churches and 
pastors of this Province had given to Sieur Delius, minister of Albany, 
who had not the good fortune to please his late lordship, his defunct 
Excellency cut off his thirty pieces which he had ordered me in the 
Council at York, deprived me of the Boston pension of twenty-five 
pieces, writing to London to have that deduction approved, and left me, 
during three years last past, in an extreme destitution of the means of 
subsistence. 

‘ I believe, my lord, that in so important a service as that in which I 
am engaged, I ought not to discourage myself, and that the Providence 
of God which does not abandon those who have recourse to His aid by 
well-doing, would provide in His time for my relief. 

‘ Your Excellency’s equity, the affection you have evinced to us for 
the encouragement of those who employ themselves constantly and faith¬ 
fully in God’s service, induces me to hope that I shall have a share in 
the dispensation of your justice, to relieve me from my suffering, so that 
I may be aided and encouraged to continue with my flock, and to pray 
God for the preservation of your person, your illustrious family, and the 
prosperity of your government. 

‘ Remaining your Excellency’s humble and respectful servant,* 

‘DANIEL BONDET.’” 

This letter was referred to Colonel Heathcote for examination 
into the merits of the request, who made a favorable report. 
The substance was as follows : 

11 Hi. s field of Christian labor among the Indians was at a place called 
New Oxford, near Boston, with a salary of £25 per annum. During 
this mission Gov. Wm. Stoughton, Rev. Increase Mather, with others’ 
certify that he, with great faithfulness, discharged his duty, both in 


* The Huguenots bought 6,000 acres of land at New Rochelle, in Westchester county, 
in September, 1689. Their meeting-house was built in 1692-’93, and their first minister was 
Rev. David Bonrepose, D. D.; the Rev. Daniel Bondet was his successor. 



EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


143 


reference to Christians and Indians, and was of an unblemished life and 
conversation.”* 

In 1705 Colonel Heatlicote recommended him to the friendly 
notice of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in 
Foreign Parts. He styled him 

A good man, who preaches very intelligibly in English, which he 
does every third Sunday in his French congregation, when he uses the 
liturgy of the church. Pie has done a great deal of service since his 
first coming into this country, and is well in the thoughts of the 
society.” 

This religious society, in New Rochelle, in 1709, changed 
from the forms of the French Protestant church, essentially 
of the Presbyterian order, to that of the English church, as 
then established by law in the colony of New York. Mr. 
Bondet showed himself a sensible man in conforming to cir¬ 
cumstances in matters of form in worship, where there was 
no violation of principle. 

In 1710 Governor Hunter gave license for building a new 
church edifice, for this society, which was constructed of stone. 
Rev. Daniel Bondet died in 1722, greatly lamented by his 
people, and was buried beneath the chancel of his church. 
He served here nearly twenty-five years, and, including his 
service at New Oxford and Boston, thirty-five years. He gave 
his library, of 400 volumes, to the church.”! 


* Colonel Caleb Heathcote was for many years an influential man in the colony of New 
York; he came into the colony in 1690, was a member of Lord Cornbury’s council in 1693, and 
Colonel of Westchester county militia. It appears that he was a merchant of distinction, 
and active in the cause of religion. Ho was active in establishing Trinity church, the first 
of the order of the church of England in New York. 

The first house of worship for Trinity church, New York, was erected in 1696. The service 
of the church of England was introduced here by the chaplain of the English governor, im¬ 
mediately after the surrender of the Dutch, in 1664. It being simply a government estab¬ 
lishment, and not favored by the old inhabitants, this order gained but slowly. 

Having erected their church edifice, and finished it at the close of 1696, Rev. William 
Vesey, a graduate of Harvard university, was their first rector. He performed divine service 
in the new building, the first time, February 6, 1697, and continued the rector till his death, 
the 11th of July, 1746, during a period of fifty years. 

tSoc Weiss, vol. n, pp. 304-308; also. Smiles’ Huguenots of America—the latter part, by 
G. P. Disosway, p. 432. 



144 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


The evidences, at this day, that exhibit traces of the labors 
of this small colony of French exiles, while residing at Oxford, 
are but few; and those the mounds upon Mayo’s hill, repre¬ 
sented by tradition as the remains of earth-works that formed, 
in their time, a fort, erected for a defense against the encroach¬ 
ment of the natives, or other enemies. Besides the remains of 
this fort, a few grape-vines, and some ancient fruit-trees, 
supposed to have been placed there by their hands, there is 
nothing now to show that such a people were ever here as 
inhabitants. 

Their dwellings, their water-mills, the meeting-house, where 
these exiles assembled to hear their pastor, the pious Bondet, 
speak of spiritual affairs, and those things which concerned 
their present and future welfare, all, like themselves, have 
passed from human vision, and whatever pertained to their 
labors here is now incorporated with the soil, which, at one 
time, they claimed as their plantation. Even the mounds 
that once indicated the place where they deposited their dead 
have ceased to mark the place where those once living and 
loved ones were laid to rest. 

The ploughman has passed his share over these once sacred 
grounds, and nothing appears, save the common field of the 
husbandman. 

Tradition points to the place of the ancient meeting-house 
and the lot set apart by them as the burial-place for their 
dead, and that is all the evidence that such were ever in 
existence. 

The hill, where are some mounds that indicate the remains 
of what are supposed to have once been part of a work of 
defense, called “The Fort,” located on a farm called Mayo’s, is 
about one mile from the railroad depot in Oxford village, in 
a southerly direction. 

The late Mr. Andrew Sigourney, living at the time Dr. 
Abial Holmes visited here to procure facts for his memoirs of 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


145 


these exiles, represented to him that he thought this Fort 
Hill larm was onee the property of his ancestors.* 

Dr. Holmes measured the fort, and found its length thirty- 
live paces, and breadth twenty-live. Within the fort on the 
east side, lie discovered signs of a well, and, on inquiry, was 
informed that a well had recently been filled up there. 

On a second visit to the fort, in September, the same year, 
he was accompanied and aided in his researches by the Rev. 
Mr. Brazer, then a professor at Harvard university. a They 
traced the lines of the bastions of the fort, and were regaled 
with the perfumes of the shrubbery and the grapes, then hang¬ 
ing in clusters on vines supposed to have been planted by the 
Huguenots.” 

Everything here, Mr. Mayo informed them, had been left 
as he found it. They next went in search of the “ Johnson 
Place,” memorable for a massacre in the year 1696. Mr. 
Peter Shumway, a very aged man of French descent, who 
lived about thirty rods distant from the location of the “John¬ 
son House,” showed them the spot. It is a considerable dis¬ 
tance from the village, on the north side of the road to Dud¬ 
ley, and is now overgrown with trees. There were no relics 

* This Mr. Andrew Sigourney was born at Boston, November 30, 1752 ; he was married to 
Elizabeth Wolcott (probably daughter of Josiah Wolcott, resident at Oxford, who married 
the daughter of Rev. John Campbell, the first minister), July 26, 1787 ; she died at Oxford, 
March 20, 1829, aged sixty-seven ; and her husband, Mr. Sigourney, died, April 16, 1838, aged 
eighty-seven. He came from Boston to Oxford in 1784, and engaged in trade with Mr. James 
Butler, his brother-in-law, who had married'his sister, Mary, the daughter of his father by a 
former wife (Mary Waters). He was in business with Mr. Butler ten years, in a store near the 
present Town House. He then moved to Oxford Plain, and continued business about thirty 
years longer. His ancestor, who came from France, was named Andrew, (and his son, 
Andrew, married Mary Germaine, and had five children—three sons—Andrew, Anthony, and 
Daniel, and two daughters; one married Martin Brimcr, of Boston, and the uthcr, Samuel 
Dexter;) his daughter, Susan, married John Johnson, killed by the Indians, with his three 
children, at Oxford; she escaped, and married for her second husband, Daniel Johonnot, 
her cousin, of Boston, and settled there. 

Anthony, above, son of Andrew, the second, was born at Boston, August 17, 1713, and 
married Mary Waters, of Salem, April 10, 1740, and had a daughter, Mary, who married 
James Butler. This Anthony married, for his second wife, widow Elizabeth Breed; their 
children were—Andrew, born at Boston, November 30, 1752, the subject oi this notice, and 
Anthony; time of his birth not given; but it appears there was a son by the first wile, Mary 
Waters, named Peter, who married a Miss Celia Loring. 



146 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


found here. Mr. Shumway informed Dr. Holmes, in 1825, 
that he was in his ninety-first year, that his great grand¬ 
father was from France, and that the plain on which he 
lived was known as “Johnson’s Plain.” 

By information received from Captain Andrew Sigourney, 
they called on Captain Humphrey, of Oxford, who said his 
parents told him there was a fort on the land on which he 
now lives, and also a French meeting-house and burying- 
ground. He had seen stones lying on the top of graves 
there in the manner turfs are usually placed on new graves. 

This Captain Ebenezer Humphrey pointed out to Dr. 
Holmes, in 1825, the place where this fort, the meeting-house, 
and burying-place, were located. 

He said his grandfather was from England, and his father 
was from Woodstock, and came to Oxford to keep garrison. 
He himself now lives where his father formerly resided, 
which is about half a mile west from Oxford village. 

His house is near a hill, standing upon a small stream that 
runs on the left, near the great road leading to Norwich. 
The fort stood about sixty rods from his house, and near it 
was the lot on which were the meeting-house and burying- 
ground. No remains of either were visible. 

He pointed to a depression in the ground where a well 
once was, that had been filled up. It was at the place where 
formerly was the fort. In this lot was an apple-tree, which, 
he said his father told him, the French set out. His father 
was seventy years old when he told him this, and he himself, 
was then twenty years of age. He said one of his oldest 
sisters remembered seeing the old “ Horse Block” that stood 
near the French church. 

This Humphrey farm is near the foot of Mayo’s hill, where 
were the ruins of the other fort. 

Except the fort on Mayo’s hill, there is nothing that now 
remains to bear testimony of this early colony, but the name 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


147 


of the stream ot water that passes through this town, called 
“ French River.” The ever-destroying hand of time may 
ere long obliterate the remains of this ancient fort, the work 
of the hands of this interesting people; but so long as the de¬ 
scending rains continue to refresh and fertilize the soil which 
they once tilled, this stream will flow through this land, and 
its name, French river, will remain a perpetual memorial 
that these exiles, through persecutions, once dwelt upon its 
borders. The waters of Baggachoag, that rise in Worcester, 
together with other waters from Leicester, it is believed, form 
the principal sources of this river.* It passes thence through 
Auburn, Oxford, and Dudley, and, entering Connecticut, it 
soon unites with the Quinebaug river, which has its source 
in Brimfield and Wales, in Hampden county, Massachusetts, 
and Union, in Connecticut; and passing through Holland, 
Sturbridge, Southbridge, and Dudley, it enters the west part 
of Thompson, Connecticut; and, receiving the French river, 
it passes south through several towns ; and at Norwich unites 
with the Shetucket, and forms the Thames, which enters Long 
Island sound at New London. 

Dr. Holmes relates an interview^ he had with Mrs. James 
Butler, before mentioned (a descendant from the Sigourney 
family), to whom he had an introduction by her daughter, 
Mrs. Campbell, wife of the inn-keeper. Mrs. Butler was 
then in her seventy-fifth year. Her maiden name was Mary 
Sigourney, great granddaughter of the Mr. Andrew Sigourney, 
who came from the city of Rochelle, France. 

“Her great grandmother died on the passage, leaving an infant onty 
six months old, who was the grandmother of Mrs. Butler; and another 
daughter, Mary Cazneau, who was then six years of age.” 


* See the Worcester Magazine and Historical Journal, vol. i, p. 90. It is to be regretted 
that this valuable work extended to only two volumes, from October, 1825, to October, 1826. 
It was edited and published by Wm. Lincoln, Esq., the historian of Worcester, and Christo- 
pher 0. Baldwin, then the librarian of the American Antiquarian Society. 




148 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


“This information Mrs. Butler received from her grandmother, who 
lived to about the age' of eighty.” 

“The Refugees left France in 1684 or 1685, with the utmost precipi¬ 
tancy. The great grandfather of Mrs. Butler, Mr. Germaine, gave the 
family notice that they must go. They came off with secrecy, with 
whatever clothes they could put on themselves and children, leaving the 
pot boiling over the fire. ” 

‘ ‘ When they arrived at Boston, they went directly to Fort Hill, where 
they were provided for until they moved to Oxford. They built a fort 
on Mayo’s hill, on the east side of French river, and tradition says 
another fort was built on the west side. She says she believes they had 
a minister with them. Mrs. Johnson,* the wife of John Johnson, who 
was killed by the Indians here, in 1696, was a sister of the first Andrew 
Sigourney.” 

‘ ‘ Her husband, returning from Woodstock while the Indians were 
massacring his family, was shot down at his own door. Mr. Sigourney, 
hearing the report of guns, ran to the house and seized his sister, pulled 
her out of the back door, and took her over French river, which they 
waded through, and fled towards Woodstock, where there was a gar¬ 
rison. The Indians killed the children by dashing them against the 
jambs of the fire-place.” 

‘ ‘ Mrs. Butler thought the French were at Oxford eighteen or nineteen 
years. Her grandmother, who was brought over an infant, was married 
and had a child while at Oxford.” 

“This fact would lead us to believe that the Sigourney family returned 
to Oxford after the fear of the Indians had subsided. It is believed in 
Oxford that a few families did return. These families may have returned 
again to Boston in about nineteen years from the time of their first 
settlement in Oxford, agreeably to Mrs. Butler’s opinion, in which case 
the time coincides with that of the erection of the first French church 
in Boston, in 1704-’05. These relations of Mrs. James Butler were given 
in 1819. She died in 1823, aged eighty-one. Mrs. Butler resided in Boston 
until the American Revolution, and soon afterwards removed to Oxford. 
Her residence at both places rendered her more familiar with the history 
of these colonists. She says they prospered in Boston after they were 
broken up at Oxford.” f 


* Mrs. Johnson, widow of John Johnson (who, with his three children, were killed by the 
Indians), formerly Susan Sigourney, after they moved to Boston, married Daniel Johonnot. 
Their children were: Andrew, who married the daughter of Anthonie and Mary Oliver, 
Huguenots, of Rochelle, and Mary Annie, who married James Bowyer ; also, Zachariah 
Johonnot,who became a wealthy merchant; died in 1784, aged eighty-three. Andrew died, June 
1,1760, and Mary Annie died. May 22,1747. Thus the Sigourneys, Johonnots, Olivers, John¬ 
sons, La Barrons, and the Bowyers, were relatives and descendants of the Huguenots, 
t Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, vol. n, 3d series, pp. 76-78. 




EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


149 


As a corroboration of Mrs. Butler’s opinion as to the con¬ 
tinuation of the French Protestants at Oxford, after the 
murders by the Indians in 1696, there is the letter of Gov¬ 
ernor Joseph Dudley, dated at “ Boston, July 7, 1702,” ad¬ 
dressed to Gabriel Bernon, in which he says : 

“Herewith you have a commission for Captain of New Oxford. I 
desire you forthwith to repair thither and show your said commission, 
and take care that the people be armed, and take them in your own house , 
with a palisade, for the security of the inhabitants; and if they are at 
such a distance in your village that there should be need of another 
place to draw them together in case of danger, consider of another 
proper house, and write me, and you shall have order therein. 

“I am, your humble servant, J. DUDLEY.” 

This letter is ample evidence that a portion of the French 
colony did return to Oxford for a time. Both Dudley and 
Bernon had a direct interest pecuniarily for restoring that 
colony : Dudley, to advance the value of the 6,000 acres, his 
share in the division of lands there, as made by the several 
grantees and their associates in 1688. And Gabriel Bernon’s 
interest was much greater, as, besides 2,500 acres he had given 
him in that part of the grant set apart by said grantees and 
associates, and called Oxford village, he had expended a large 
amount of money in the erection of several mills for different 
purposes, and thus he was induced to erect the block house for 
the protection of such of the colonists as he could induce to 
return, which house Dudley refers to when he says “ take them 
in your own houseP 

This house was not for a personal residence of Mr. Bernon, 
as it appears quite conclusive that he never resided at Oxford, 
but acted as factor, and, no' doubt, for a time regarded it an 
advantageous investment, so long as the colony remained there 
intact, up to the time of the massacre. Subsequently, by the 
entire abandonment of the plantation for a year or more, it 
became then an object of interest to protect and save, as far 
as possible, the large expenditure he had previously made; 


150 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


thus, we find him now appointed a captain, with authority to 
use his efforts to provide for the protection of such of the 
colonists or others that could be induced to continue the set¬ 
tlement there; and, with this design, it appears he did much 
to encourage settlers to go and remain, and built for their 
protection a house surrounded with palisades ; it also appears 
by Mr. Dudley’s letter that there were some of these settlers 
there in 1702; but whatever number might have returned for 
a time, it is clear, by the proclamation of Dudley and his 
associates in 1713, that when preparing for the English settle¬ 
ment, there was then an entire abandonment of this plantation 
by the French, as he says: 

“The said French families have many years since wholly left and 
deserted their settlement in said village. ” 

Mr. Bernon moved to Rhode Island in 1698, and he, no 
doubt, after considerable expense in his endeavors to save 
some portion of his investments here, found it to cost more 
time and money than all he could save was worth. Then, 
again, his distance from the plantation, and without roads, 
made it difficult for him to give the plantation such attention 
as was necessary to secure any reasonable degree of prosper¬ 
ity ; thus he, no doubt, came to regard the effort as a profit¬ 
less adventure, and finally abandoned all his expenditures 
at Oxford for improvements, and held simply the 2,500 acres 
of the land that had at first been granted him by the proprie¬ 
tors for his encouraging the original plantation. By this 
abandonment by Gabriel Bernon (which is clear, by his own 
representations, as related by Dr. Holmes in his memoirs of 
those French settlers), the plantation became wholly deserted, 
as set forth in the proclamation by Dudley and others. 

When the few French planters did return, after their first 
abandonment, is not certain ; but it is inferred, from such facts 
as have been discovered, that it was in the year 1699, about 
two or three years after the massacre in 1696. That there 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


151 


was an abandonment for two years is evidenced by the letter 
of Rev. Mr. Bondet, addressed to his excellency, Lord Corn- 
bury, Governor of New York, in 1702, after he had settled 
with the French colony at New Rochelle, in AVbstchester 
county, New York, quoted herein, wherein he says: 

“He remained at Boston two years, expecting a favorable season for 
the establishment of affairs, but seeing no appearance, and being invited 
to this province, ” etc. 

Thus, by this letter, there was no appearance of a return to 
re-establish the plantation in 1697 and 1698 ; but, from a 
letter to Lord Bellamont by the successor of Mr. Bondet, the 
Rev. James Laborie, setting forth that, 

“The Rev. Mr. Bondet, their former minister, had not only left them, 
but carried away all ye books which had been given for ye use of the 
plantation, with ye acts and papers of this village,” etc., 

it would appear that, if some of the first planters had not 
already returned, there was a design for its re-establishment; 
and that, by the evidence of the letter of Mr. Dudley to 
Gabriel Bernon in 1702, it is clear that, for a time, some 
of these planters did return, and were under the care of Mr. 
Bernon, though what length of time they remained after this 
return, or what numbers were there for this attempt for its 
establishment, is not explained; but it is sufficiently proved 
that there were none of the French planters on the Oxford 
plantation for some years before its resettlement by the thirty 
families of English settlers in 1713. 

Dr. Holmes, after reciting all the incidents relating to the 
remains of the old fort, and the recollections of the Johnson 
House, the meeting-house, and the burying-ground, further 
adds: 

“Of this interesting place we feel reluctant to take leave without 
some token of remembrance, besides the mere recital of facts, some of 
which are dry in detail, while many others are but remotely associated 
with it. Were any monumental stone to be found here, other memorials 


152 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


were less necessary. Were the cypress or the weeping-willow growing 
here, nothing might seem wanting to perpetuate the memory of the 
dead. Any contributions of the living, even at this late period, towards 
supplying the defect, seem entitled to preservation.” 

In 1822 Dr. Holmes received a manuscript poem on tlie 
French exiles, superscribed “ Oxford,” anonymous, but appar¬ 
ently from a female pen : 

“It was of considerable length, and not equally sustained through¬ 
out ; but the tender and respectful regard shown by the writer to those 
excellent pilgrims, who left ‘not a stone to tell where they lie,’ and her 
just reflections upon the value of religious liberty, and the iniquity and 
horrors of tyranny, entitle her to high estimation. Many lines do honor 
to her genius, and all of them to her sensibility. If she is a descendant 
of the Huguenots, this is a tribute of filial piety; if not, it is an oblation 
of generous sympathy. The same year a letter was also received from a 
lady, well known to our literary community, inclosing a practical trib¬ 
ute to the memory of the Huguenots of Oxford, which is not less worthy 
of her pen than of her connection. Her marriage with a worthy descend¬ 
ant of one of the first French families that settled in Oxford fairly entitles 
her to the subject, which her pen will perpetuate should the memoir be 
forgotten. A leaf of the grape-vine was inclosed in the letter, which 
has this conclusion: 

“ ‘We received great pleasure from our visit to Oxford; and as we 
traced the ruins of the first rude fortress erected by our ancestors, the 
present seemed almost to yield in reality to the past. 

“ ‘I send you a leaf from the vine, which still flourishes in luxuriance, 
which, I am sorry to say, resembles our own natives of the woods a 
little too strongly; something beside I also send you, which savors as 
little of the muse’s inspiration as the vine in question does of foreign 
extraction; but, if poetical license can find affinities for the latter, I 
trust your goodness will extend its mantle over the infirmity of the for¬ 
mer. ’* 

“ Lines by Mrs. L. Huntley Sigourney,! on visiting a vine among the 


* Dr. Abiel Holmes, a native of Woodstock, Connecticut, son of Dr. David Holmes, a 
graduate of Yale college, in 1783, was pastor of a clmrcli in Midway, Georgia, from 1785 to 
1791, and was settled at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1792, and pastor there till 1832 ; his 
first wife was daughter of President Stiles, of Yale; his second, daughter of Judge Oliver 
Wendell, and mother of Dr. O. W. Holmes, a noted author. He died at Cambridge, June 4, 
1837, aged seventy-three. 

t Mrs. Sigourney, formerly Lydia Huntley, was born at Norwich, Connecticut, in 1791 ; 
was the only child of her parents. She was married to Charles Sigourney, a merchant, of 
Hartford, in 1819. Her husband encouraged her literary taste. She wrote, with extraor¬ 
dinary ability, both prose and verse. She moved to Hartford in 1815, and afterwards made 



EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


153 


ruins of the French fort at Oxford, Massachusetts, supposed to have been 
planted by the Huguenots, who made settlements at that place when 
they fled from their native country, after the Revocation of the Edict of 
Nantes, in 1685: 

POEM. 

“ Say, did thy germ e’er drink the fostering dews 
Of beauteous Languedoc?—Didst thou unfold 
Thy latent fibre ’neath the genial skies 
Of smiling Rousillon?—or fragrant hang 
In purple cluster from some fruitful vine 
Of fair Rochelle?—Perchance thy infant leaves 
Have trembled at the bitter sigh of those 
Whom Tyranny oppressed, or shuddering caught 
That silent tear which suffering Virtue sheds 
In loneliness—that tear which witnesseth 
To the high Judge. Not by rash, thoughtless hands 
Who sacrifice to Bacchus, pouring forth 
Libations at his altar, with wild songs 
Hailing his madden’d orgies, wert thou borne 
To foreign climes—but with the suffering band 
Of pious Huguenots didst dare the wave, 

When they essay’d to plant salvation’s vine 
In the drear wilderness. Pensive they mark’d 
The everlasting forest’s gloomy shade, 

The uncultur’d vale, the snow-invested heath, 

Track’d by the vengeful native; yet to rear 
Their temple to the Eternal Sire, and pay 
Unfetter’d homage to His name were joy; 

Though on their hymn of praise the desert howl’d, 

The savage arrow scath’d them, and dark clouds 
Involv’d their infant Zion, yet they bore 
Toil and affliction, with unwavering eye 
Fix’d on the heavens, and, firm in hope sublime, 

Sank to their last repose. Full many a son 
Among the noblest of our land looks back 
Through Time’s long vista, and exulting claims 
These as his sires. They sleep in mouldering dust. 

But thou, fair Vine, in beauteous verdure bloom’st, 

O’er Man’s decay. Wooing thy tendril green 


that place her residence. She visited Europe in 1840, and died at Hartford, June 10, 18€5. 
She published fifty-six distinct works, and contributed more than 2,000 articles, in prose 
verse, to different periodicals. 

11 



154 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


Springs the wild rose, as if it fain would twine 
Wreaths for its native soil. And well it may; 

For here dwell Liberty and laurel’d Peace, 

Lending to life new lustre, and with dews 
Etlierial bathing Nature’s charms. The child 
Of Poverty feels here no vassalage, nor shrinks 
From Persecution’s scourge. The simplest hind— 

Whether he homeward guide his weary team 
Beneath the evening star, or whistling lead 
To pastures fresh, with morn, his snowy sheep— 

Bears on his brow, in deepen’d characters, 

Knowledge is power. He, too, with filial eye 
Uncheck’d, undim’d, marks blest Religion come, 

In simple mildness, binding on the heart 
Her laws of love, gilding each gather’d cloud 
Of varied sentiment, that o’er the dust 
Of earth’s low confine hangs, with beams serene, 

From that bright sun which shall hereafter blend 
All fleeting shades in one effulgent smile 
Of immortality.” 

It has been shown that their first minister, who resided 
with them many years at Oxford, was Rev. Daniel Bondet, 
who, with most of this small colony, fled to Boston, where they 
continued a number of years a distinct body, having a relig¬ 
ious society of their own. Rev. Mr. Bondet soon left them 
and settled at New Rochelle, in New York, as has been re¬ 
lated; but, previous to his leaving this people, they had 
arranged for another pastor, the Rev. Peter Daillie. 

Mr. Daillie had for several years been the pastor over the 
French church at New Paltz, in Ulster county, New York, 
which had been established the 22d of January, 1683; from 
this date to the time of his leaving for Boston, in 1696, he had 
divided his services between the church at New Paltz and 
the French church at New York, having served there thirteen 
years, before his removal to Boston.* 


* See Historical Sketch of the Church at New Paltz, by their present pastor, the Rev. 
Charles H. Stitt, D. D. 

Some of the Huguenot families which composed this settlement came from the Palatinate 



early history of oxford. 


155 


Dr. Cotton Mather, in giving an account of the Christian 
congregations in New England, in the year 1696, mentions, 
among the churches in the town of Boston, a French congre¬ 
gation of refugees, under the pastoral care of Monsieur Dail- 
lie. Mr. Snow, in his “ History of Boston, 1 ” refers to this pas¬ 
sage in the “ Ma^nalia,” and says it is the first notice of the 
French church. This was the year the French colony aban¬ 
doned Oxford. Thus it appears that Rev. Mr. Daillie com¬ 
menced his pastorate directly after he left New Paltz ; and it 
is piobable that Rev. Mr. Bondet was waiting a mission 
among the Indians again, and that those of his French parish¬ 
ioners, who came from Oxford, joined with those residents of 
Boston in worship under Mr. Daillie. 

The French church, during the lifetime of Rev. Peter 
Daillie, worshipped in one of the large school-houses. They 
had purchased a lot on School street for a church, January 
4, 1704. Their deed is from James Mears, hatter, to John 
Tartarian, Francis Bredan, and John Dupee, elders of the 
French church, in consideration of the sum of £110 cur¬ 
rent silver money of New England; all that tract or parcel 
of land bounded northerly by school-house land, so called, 
where it measures in front forty-three and a half feet, easterly 
thirty-six feet, westerly eighty-eight and a half feet, southerly 
thirty-five and a half feet, to erect and build a church upon, 
for the use of the French congregation in Boston aforesaid,* * 
to meet therein for the worship and service of Almighty God, 
according to, the way and manner of the Reformed churches 
in France. On the 7th of February, 1705, John Portree, 
Francis Bredan, and John Dupee, petitioned the selectmen for 


in Germany. Some came here as early as 1660. They sympathized with their Dutch asso¬ 
ciates, who were always tolerant in matters of religion. 

The main body of the members of this settlement at New Paltz, came in 1677, when they 
bought by deed from the Indians, this beautiful secluded region among the mountains on 
the west side of Hudson river, about seventy miles from New York city. 

* See C. Mather’s Magnalia, vol. i, chap, vii, pp. 90; also Snow’s History of Boston, p. 200. 





156 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


license to erect a wooden building for a meeting-house, of thirty- 
live by thirty feet, on the aforesaid piece of land. It was judged 
not convenient to grant the same, since they have the offer of 
the free liberty to meet in the new school-house, as they had for 
some years past done in the old, and that being sufficient for 
a far greater number of persons than doth belong to their con¬ 
gregation. A brick building was probably erected in 1716 ; 
it is mentioned by Cotton Mather in January, 1717.* This 
church stood on their land on School street. The descend¬ 
ants of the founders of this house (says Mr. Pemberton, “ the 
late respected antiquary of Boston”), as they formed new con¬ 
nections, gradually dropped off. Those who remained were 
few in number, and the support of a minister was an expense 
they could not well continue.! 

The Rev. Mr. Daillie’s death was announced to the public 
by a notice in the Boston News Letter , the first newspaper pub¬ 
lished in the English colonies in America (the first issue of 
this paper was on the 24tli of April, 1704 ; it was published 
by John Campbell, a Scotchman, who was a bookseller, and 
the post-master of Boston f), and was as follows : 

“Boston, May 23d, 1715.—On Monday morning last, the 20th current, 
died here the Rev. Mr. Peter Daillie, pastor of the French congregation, 
aged about 66 years. He was a person of great piety, charity, affable 
and courteous behavior, and of an exemplary life and conversation, much 
lamented, especially by his flock, and was decently interred on the 
Lord’s Day evening, the 22d instant.” 

“By his ‘Will’ he required that his body should be decently interred, 
according to the discretion of his executor, Mr. James Bowdoin, with 
this restriction, that there be no wine at his funeral, and no mourning 
to his wife’s relations, except gloves. All the ministers of the town, to¬ 
gether with Mr. Walter, were presented with gloves and scarfs. His 
books were given to form a library for the church and £100 for the benefit 
of the minister, and £10 to be put to interest until the church should 
erect a meeting-house, when it was to be appropriated towards the ex- 


* See Snow’s History of Boston, p. 201. 
t See Mass. Hist. Collections, vol. n, 3d series, p. G3. 
t Sec Thomas’s History of Printing, vol. n, p. 191. 




EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


157 


pense of the same. He remembered his brother, Paul Daillie, Vangel- 
ade, in Amsfort, in Holland, and signs himself ‘ Daillie, ’ omitting his 
baptismal name of Peter.” 

He was buried in the Granary burying-ground in Boston 
(fronting on Tremont street). His grave is nearly in the cen¬ 
tre of the yard. The memorial stone at the head of the grave 
lias the following epitaph : 

‘ ‘ Here lies ye body of ye 
Reverend Mr. Peter Daillie, 

Minister of the French Church in Boston, 

Died ye 21st of May, 1715, 

In the 67th year of his age.” 

Rev. Peter Daillie had buried two wives. His first wife, 
Esther Latonice, died, December 14, 1696. His second wife, 
Seike, died, August 31, 1713; and he left a third, a widow, 
whose name was Martha. 

The graves of his wives are near his own, and around these 
graves are many others, apparently French—Basset, Mian, 
Garrett, Paliere, Sabin, Berrey, etc. 

Three paces distant from Rev. Mr. Daillie’s grave is that of 
Josiah Franklin, the father of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. In¬ 
scribed on the memorial stone is: 

“ J. F., born 1655, d. 1744. 

A. F., born 1667, d. 1752.” 

Rev. Mr. Daillie’s successor was the Rev. Andrew Le Mer- 
cier, whose name is found on the town records in 1719. He 
published a church history of Geneva, in 1732, from which it 
appears that he was educated in that country. His church 
did not increase in numbers sufficiently to enable them to sup¬ 
port the expense of a separate house of worship, and on that 
account the society was discontinued. 

On the 7th of March, 1748, the proprietorship of their 
meeting-house on School street was transferred to several gen¬ 
tlemen as trustees of a new Congregational church. This 


158 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


transfer was made by Stephen Boutineau, only surviving elder, 
Zacli. Jolionnot, Jean Arnault, John Brown, Andrew Jolion- 
not, James Paekonett, William Bowdoin, Andrew Sigourney, 
members, and M. Le Mercier, their minister. The Bev. M. 
Le Mercier, after this, resided for a time at Dorchester, but 
returned again to Boston, and died there, March 31, 1764, in 
the seventy-second year of his age. One of his daughters and 
Mr. Z. Johonnot were executors of his “ Will.” 

A large folio Bible, in French, with a commentary, was 
presented to this French Protestant church by Queen Anne. 

This was purchased at the sale of the late Dr. Byles’ library, 
and it is said now to be in a library in Boston, retained as a 
curious relic of the ancient French Protestant church formerly 
in that city. 

In tracing the history of the Brick Meeting-House, before 
mentioned, that was erected by these French Protestants, it 
appears that they sold it to a Congregational society for 
£3,000, for the sole use of a Protestant church, of which the 
Bev. Andrew Crowell was pastor; installed in 1748. He 
died, April, 1785, aged seventy-seven. 

This house was next used as a Boman Catholic chapel. 
Mass was first performed in it, November 2, 1788, by a 
Bomish priest. The Bev. John Thayer, a native of Boston, 
having embraced the Boman Catholic religion, and received 
orders at Borne, began his pastorate over the first Boman 
Catholic society in that city, in 1790. In 1792 the Bev. 
Dr. Francis A. Matignon arrived at Boston, and, in 1796, 
was joined by Bev. John Cheverus, afterwards Bishop, of 
Montauban, in France. Upon their united application to the 
Protestants, a generous contribution was made; a lot was pur¬ 
chased in Franklin place, and a Boman Catholic church built 
on the same, which was dedicated in 1803.* 


* See Mass. Hist. Collections, vol. n, 3d series, pp. 63-64 ; also see Snow’s History of 
Boston, pp. 201-202. 



early history of oxford. 


159 

The French meeting-house on School street was taken 
down, and a Ilniversalist church built near the place where it 
stood. It is curious to note the difference in religious faith of 
those who have worshipped on the ground of this old French 
Protestant church. It is remarkable that this church, built 
by Fiencli Protestants, who had fled their country from the 
persecution of the Roman Catholics, was the first to receive 
the Roman Catholics who lied from France through the per¬ 
secution of the Jacobins; and, furthermore, that the same 
Roman Catholics who were noted for their persecution of the 
Pi otestants, should, through the aid for which they appealed 
to them, be enabled to buy the ground and to erect the first 
Romish church in the Puritan city of Boston.* 

The following, relating to the memorial stones which desig¬ 
nated the place of interment of the Rev. Peter Daillie, in the 
Granary burying-ground, appeared in the Boston Transcript, 
of June 4, 1860 

“It appears that for many years the place of Rev. Mr. Daillie’s 
burial was lost by means of the removal of the head-stone to the grave, 
by some means not known, and by the covering up of the foot-stone by 
accumulations of earth. 

‘ ‘ But both have recently been discovered and restored to their former 
positions, and now mark, as they were first designed, the last resting- 
place of the remains of this noted and once much-respected minister of 
the exiled Huguenot residents of Boston.” 


* See Pemberton’s Description of Boston, Mass. Hist. Society Collections, vol. m, 1st 
series, p. 264 ; also, Snow’s History of Boston, pp. 340-418. 

The Catholic church on Franklin place received the name of “ The Church of the Holy 
Cross,” and was dedicated, September 29,1803, by Bishop John Carroll, of Baltimore, the first 
bishop in this country, consecrated to the office, August 15, 1790; died in 1815. The Catholics 
of Boston and vicinity were formed into a diocese in 1808; John Cheverus, consecrated 
bishop, November 1, 1810, translated to Montauban, thence to Bordeaux, and made Cardinal 
Archbishop, and died, July 19, 1836. Right Rev. Benedict J. Fenwick, consecrated, Novem¬ 
ber, 1825, died, August 11, 1846. Right Rev. Bishop Fitzpatrick, consecrated, March 24, 
1844, died, February 13, 1866. Right Rev. Joseph Williams, D. D., consecrated, March 11, 
1866, is present bishop. Rev. John Thayer bequeathed by his will money for the erection 
of an Ursulin convent, which was erected adjoining the church on Franklin place, for the 
education of female Catholic children. 



160 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


“DISCOVERY OF ANOTHER RELIC OF THE PAST. 

“ The grave of Pierre Daillie, the beloved minister of the old French 
church, established in Boston by the Protestant refugees who sought 
protection in America after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, has 
long been an object of search by those who have held the name and 
memory of this excellent man in high respect. 

“ Not many weeks ago, the humble foot-stone, which in part served 
to denote the last resting-place of this estimable pastor, was accidentally 
discovered in the Granary Burial-Ground, where, for many years it had 
been entirely hidden from view, being covered by the soil and sods of 
that sacred inclosure. 

‘ ‘ It can now be seen, restored to public view, scarcely two rods from 
the entrance-gate to that cemetery, at one of the corners formed by one 
of the numerous by-paths and the main avenue of the yard. But the 
head-stone is not there. 

“It has remained for another accident to disclose, this morning, the 
hiding-place of the mucli-sought-for memorial, which the friends of 
deceased had placed at his grave to designate the exact spot of his 
interment. While laborers were employed in excavating a cellar on the 
old Emmons estate in Pleasant street, now in the possession of Dr. Drew, 
they suddenly struck upon the stone, which, for some unknown reason, 
had been removed to that remote place.” 

The inscription was found to be the same as that herein¬ 
before described. 

The following is a partial list of the French Protestants 
who arrived in New England about the time of the Revoca¬ 
tion of the Edict of Nantes. This list refers principally to 
those who settled in this vicinity ; the greater part removed to 
the colonies further south, part to New York, but the larger 
number settled in South Carolina. 

NAMES. 

Rev. Daniel Bondet, Rev. Peter Daillie, and Rev. Andrew 
Le Mercier, the three ministers of these exiles, while main¬ 
taining a separate organization of the French Protestant 
cliurch; Andrew Sigourney, Andrew Faneuil, Benj. Faneuil, 
and Peter Faneuil, who is believed to be the son of Andrew 
Faneuil; Gabriel Bernon, the factor and principal assistant of 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


161 


the New Oxford Plantation; Isaac Bertrand dn Tuffeau, the 
agent of Gabriel Bernon, and one of the first that settled at 
Oxford; Pierre Jermon, Abraham Sauvages, Philip Emger- 
land, Jacques Montier, Mourret Ancien, Jean Bawlings, Peter 
Cliardon, John Johnson, Charles Johnson, John Maillet, Elie 
Dispean, Jacques Dupont, Bene Grignon, Peter Canton, Jean 
Beaudoin, Francis Bredan, John Tartarian, Andrew Johon- 
not, Zachariah Jolionnot, John Arnoult, John Packenett, 
William Beaudoin, Paul Cronillet, John Evans, John Barbet, 
Stephen Beautineau, Pierre Beaudoin, who arrived at Fal¬ 
mouth, Casco Bay, now Portland, and soon removed to Boston, 
De Paix Cazaneau, Gabriel Le Boytelux, Pierre Chasseleup, 
Ober Jermon, Bereau Caine, Anthonie Olivier, Lazarus Le 
Barron, James Bowyer, Elie Beaudinot, Mian, Garrett, Pa- 
liere, Sabin, Berrey, Germaine, John Dupe, Peter Shumway, 
and others. 

There are many descendants of these French exiles that have 
maintained in New England and in other parts of this coun¬ 
try positions of honorable distinction. 

A descendant of Pierre Beaudoin, the Hon. James Bow- 
doin, became Governor of Massachusetts, and was a patron of 
science and literature. 

A descendant of Elie Beaudinot became one of the Presi¬ 
dents of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Con¬ 
federation ; he was the Chief Director of the United States Mint 
at Philadelphia, ten years, from 1795 to 1805, and is con¬ 
sidered the father of the American Bible Society, and was its 
first president. 

A descendant of Benjamin Faneuil, Peter Faneuil, has per¬ 
petuated his name as the benefactor of the town of Boston, 
in the gift of “ Faneuil Hall.” It was finished entirely at his 
expense, and the keys presented to the town authorities, Sep¬ 
tember 10, 1742. 

At a meeting in this hall, held on the 13th of September, 


162 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


1742, a vote of thanks was moved by the Hon. John Jeffries, 
as follows:— 

“ Whereas , Peter Faneuil has, at a very great expense, erected a noble 
structure, far exceeding his first proposal, inasmuch as it contains, not 
only a large and sufficient accommodation for a market, but a spacious 
and most beautiful town hall over it, and several convenient rooms; as 
the building is now finished, and he has delivered possession thereof 
to the Selectmen for the use of the town, it is therefore voted that the 
town do, with the utmost gratitude, receive and accept this most gener¬ 
ous and most noble benefaction, for the use and intention it is designed 
for; and do appoint the Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esq., the Moderator of 
this meeting; the Hon. Adam Wintlirop, Edward Hutchinson, Ezekiel 
Lewis, and Samuel Waldo, Esqrs., Thomas Hutchinson, Esq.; the 
Selectmen of the town of Boston, and the Representatives to the General 
Court; the Hon. Jacob Wendell, James Boudoin, Esq., Andrew Oliver, 
Esq., Captain Nathaniel Cunningham, Peter Chardon, Esq., and Charles 
Apthorp, to wait upon Peter Faneuil, Esq., and, in the name of the 
town, to tender him their most hearty thanks for so beautiful a gift, 
with their prayers that this and other expressions of his bounty and 
charity may be abundantly recompensed with the divine blessing.” 

In addition to this vote, the citizens passed another, that the 
hall should he called Faneuil Hall forever, and that the portrait 
of Faneuil should be painted at full length and placed therein. 

On the 14tli of March, 1744, a vote was passed to purchase 
the Faneuil Arms, carved and gilt by Moses Deshon, to be 
fixed in said hall. 

Mr. Pemberton, the antiquary, says that previous to the 
Revolution, the portraits of Mr. Faneuil, General Conway, 
and Colonel Barre, were procured and placed in this hall. 
It is supposed they were carried off by the British, when they 
evacuated the town, during the Revolution.* 

It appears that General Conway was a member of Parlia¬ 
ment, and earnestly opposed the Stamp-Act, so odious to the 
people of the town of Boston, and for this he was paid this 
mark of honor. 


* See Snow’s History of Boston, p. 235; also, Mass. Hist. Soc. Collections, vols. n and 
in, 1st edition. 



EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


163 


Colonel Isaac Barre was of French descent, although born 
at Dublin, Ireland, in 1726, and dying there, July 1, 1802. 
His father was a French refugee, the same as the ancestor 
of Faneuil; but the honor of placing his portrait in this 
hall was not on this account, but for his remarkable im¬ 
promptu speech in the British Parliament in favor of the 
American colonies, in reply to Charles Townsend, who sup¬ 
ported the measures for taxing these colonies, as follows: He 
insisted that the colonies had borne but a small portion of the 
large expenditures for carrying on the late war (the war for 
the acquisition of the French possessions in America), but had 
obtained by it immense advantage at a vast expense to the 
mother country. He then continued : 

“ And now , will these American children, planted by our care, nour¬ 
ished up, by our indulgence, to a degree of strength and opulence, and 
protected by our arms, grudge to contribute their mite to relieve us from 
the heavy burden under which we lie ?” 

As lie sat down, Mr. Barre rose, and excitedly replied as 
follows : 

I 

“They planted by your care! No, your oppression planted them in 
America. They fled from your tyranny to a then uncultivated, inhospi¬ 
table country, where they exposed themselves to almost all the hard¬ 
ships to which human nature is liable; and among others, to the cruel¬ 
ties of a savage foe, the most subtle, and I will take upon me to say, the 
most formidable of any people upon the face of God’s eaith. And yet, 
actuated by principles of true English liberty, they met all hardships 
with pleasure, compared with those they suffered in their own countiy 
from the hands of those who should have been their friends. They 
nourished by your indulgence! They grew by your neglect of them. As 
soon as you began to care for them, that care was exercised in sending 
persons to rule them, in one department and another, who were perhaps 
the deputies of deputies of some members of this house, sent to spy out 
their liberties, to misrepresent their actions, and to prey upon them. 
Men whose behavior, on many occasions, caused the blood of those sons 
of liberty to recoil within them; men promoted to the highest seats of 
justice, some who, to my knowledge, were glad, by going to a foreign 
country, to escape being brought to a bar of justice in their own. They 
protected by your arms! They have nobly taken up arms in your de- 


164 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


fense, have exerted a valor amidst their constant and laborious industry, 
for the defense of a country whose frontier was drenched in blood, 
while its interior parts yielded all its little savings to your emolument. 

“And, believe me—remember, I this day told you so—the same spirit 
of freedom which actuated that people at first will accompany them 
still. But prudence forbids me to explain myself further. God knows 
I do not at this time speak from motives of party heat. 

‘ ‘ However superior to me, in general knowledge and experience, the 
respectable body of this house may be, yet I claim to know more of 
America than most of you, having seen and been conversant in that 
country. 

“The people, I believe, are as truly loyal as any subjects the king has, 
but a people jealous of their liberties, and who will vindicate them if 
ever they should be violated. But the subject is too delicate : I will 
say no more.” 

Although this speech of Colonel Barre has often been 
quoted, it is entitled to a place here. 

Colonel Barre was an officer in the French war for the con¬ 
quest of the Canadas, and was with General James Wolfe at 
the siege and capture of Quebec in the memorable battle on 
the Plains of Abraham, on the 14th of August, 1759, and pres¬ 
ent at the death of that brave officer at that place, he himself 
being wounded. 

After the surrender of Montreal, September 8,1760, Colonel 
Barre was appointed bearer of dispatches from Lord Amherst, 
announcing the event to Lord Chatham. He occupies a prom¬ 
inent position , in Benjamin West’s great painting of “ The 
Death of Wolfe.” 

The original building was but half the width of the present 
one, and but two stories high. The hall could contain but 
about 1,000 persons. In the memorable fire of Tuesday, 
January 13, 1761, Faneuil Hall was destroyed, and nothing 
left standing but the walls. On the 23d of March following, 
the town voted to rebuild, and the State authorized a lottery 
to meet the expenses. The lottery tickets were of several 
classes, bearing date, March, 1767, and had upon them the 
bold name of John Hancock. Faneuil Hall retained the orid- 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


1(35 


nal size given it by Mr. Faneuil until 1806, when the increase 
of population required its enlargement; its width was now in¬ 
creased from forty feet, its original width, to eighty, with a 
third story added, the length being one hundred feet. The 
gi assliopper vane, like that placed upon the spire of the cupola 
by Mr. Faneuil, is still retained. Peter Faneuil died, March 
3, 1743. 

At the next meeting of the inhabitants in the hall, March 
14, following, a funeral oration was delivered by Mr. John 
Lovell, master of the South Grammar School. 

This oration is inserted in full, in the “ History of Boston” ' 
by -bh. Snow,* and was the first specimen of eloquence uttered 
in the hall; as a tribute due to the memory of Mr. Faneuil, and 
as a relic of past history, it has thus been preserved. 

Gabriel Bernon having filled so conspicuous a position 
connected with this early French plantation, it seems proper 
that something further should be related of his character and 
acts during his after life, while residing in Rhode Island ; also, 
some further explanation concerning his family connections. 

Quoting again from Dr. Holmes, this name is mentioned by 
Baron La Hautan, as of Roehelle.f 

‘ ‘ The merchant that has carried on the greatest trade in Canada, is 
Sicur Samuel Bernon, of Rochelle. He has great warehouses at Quebec, 
from which the inhabitants of the other towns are supplied with such 
commodities as they want.” 

The trade of Canada, it appears, was principally with the 
city of Rochelle in France. 

In the account of the government of Canada, given by La 


* See Snow’s History of Boston, pp. 233-237 and 246-247. 

t See vol. ii, 3d series, Mass. Hist. Collections, p. 51. Mr. J. Gilmary Shea, referring to 
La Hautan’s history of his voyages, says, in his translation of Charlevoix’s New France: 
“ It is a curious fact that no other writer of the French history of Canada refers to La 
Hautan; and Charlevoix but barely mentions him. He represents that he was sent out to 
Canada with three companies of troops, sent to De la Barre in the autumn of 1683, and 
returned to France in 1692.” See Translation, vol. hi, p. 286. 



166 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


Hautan in the history of his voyages, he remarks upon the 
narrow and bigoted policy of Louis XIV : 

‘ 4 I wond er that, instead of banishing the Protestants out of France— 
who, in removing to the countries of our enemies, have done so much 
damage to the kingdom by carrying their money along with them, and 
setting up manufactories in those countries—I wonder the Court did 
not think it more proper to transport them to Canada. I am convinced 
that if they had received positive assurance of enjoying liberty of con¬ 
science, a great many of them would have made no scruple to go thither. 

4 4 If the Council of State had followed my scheme, in the space of 
thirty or forty years New France would have become a finer and more 
flourishing kingdom than several others in Europe.” 

There is much wisdom and good sense in these remarks; 
and had they been adopted, the strength of Canada would 
have been such that it is not improbable that Canada to-day 
would have been a powerful French, instead of an English 
colony, as it now is. And instead of .Romanism prevailing 
among the French, they now would have the advantage of the 
prosperity that follows where people think for themselves, 
which is the foundation principle of Protestantism, and pre¬ 
vention of bigotry. 

Believing it important, as a part of the history of this 
French plantation, to preserve all that relates to any party 
concerned therein, the following letters are quoted, showing 
the standing and character of Mr. Bernon. This first is a 
letter addressed by Lord Bellamont to Mr. Bernon, dated, 
“New York, 23d November, 1698 

44 Sir: I am sorry to learn that you have left New England for the 
purpose of residing in Rhode Island. Mr. Campbell told me the news, 
which afflicts me much, since I had desired to cultivate all possible 
friendship with you when I shall arrive at Boston. 

“Iam ashamed for not having written you sooner, but, I assure you, 
it has not been for want of esteem, but solely from having been con¬ 
tinually occupied by the affairs of my government. If you find occasion 
to come and establish yourself here in this toAvn, I shall do all I possibly 
can for your encouragement. I shall not forget the recommendation of 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 107 

you by the Count of Galway; and I am truly and strongly disposed to 
respond to it by all good offices. 

“I shall be very glad to see you here, for the purpose of conversing 
with you upon certain affairs which relate to the service of the kino- 

* 

‘ ‘ I am, with true esteem and friendship, 

‘ ‘ Your very humble servant, 

“ BELLAMONT. 

“ For Mr. Beiinon, a French merchant, Rhode Island.” 

As was solicited by Lord Bellamont, Mr. Bernon visited 
New York the following spring, as appears by a letter of his 
preserved in the history of the Huguenots of France and 
America, by Mrs. Lee, who is a descendant of one of these 
exiles, dated, “25tli of March 1699, at New York,” in which 
he counsels his friends there as follows: 

‘ ‘ I, like you, have abandoned property and our country for the sake 
of religion; and so have many of our refugee brothers in various parts 
of the world. We should all of us submit to the government under 
which we have placed ourselves. It is for us a great happiness and a 
great honor to be able to call ourselves good subjects of our sovereign, 
King William; that, since God commands us to submit to the royal 
power, we can not have too much veneration for so great and illus¬ 
trious a prince, nor too much respect for the governor who represents 
him. * 

“I have, with pain, seen some persons depart from the duty which 
we owe to my lord, the Count of Bellamont. Do not think that I am 
bold enough to erect myself into a censor, or to prescribe anything to 
you; but I thought it my duty, as a brother, to let you know my true 
sentiments. 

“This difference of tastes, of constitution, prevents people from 
agreeing perfectly. You are for Mississippi; I am for Rhode Island. I 
offer you my services there and everywhere else.” 

The works of Mrs. Lee, from which this and other letters 
are taken, possess much interest to such as desire to become 
acquainted with the character and doings ot this worthy class 
of colonists called the Huguenot exiles, or persecuted French 
Protestants. 

It appears that Mr. Bernon changed his religious forms 


168 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


from that of the usage of the Reformed church in France to 
a conformity with the English church. 

He may be regarded as one of the principal men who 
founded the Episcopal church in Rhode Island, as the follow¬ 
ing will show: 


FOUNDING OF TRINITY CHURCH, NEWPORT. 

“To his Excellency , Richard , Earl of Bellamont , Captain-General and 
Governor-in- Chief in and over the Provinces of the Massachusetts Bay , 
New York, and New Hampshire , and the Territories thereon depending in 
America , and Vice-Admiral of the same: 

“The humble petition of the people of the Church of England now 
resident in Rhode Island, 


“ Sheweth,— 


‘ ‘ That your petitioners, and others inhabiting within this island, 
having agreed and concluded to erect a church for the worship of God, 
according to the discipline of the Church of England; and though we 
are disposed and ready to give all the encouragement we possibly can 
to a pious and learned minister to settle and abide amongst us, yet by 
reason we are not in a capacity to contribute to such an honorable main¬ 
tenance as may be requisite and expedient. 

“Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your lordship will be 
pleased so far to favor our undertakings as to intercede with his majesty 
for his gracious letters to this government on our behalf, to protect and 
encourage us; and that some assistance towards the present maintenance 
of a minister among us may be granted, as your excellency, in your 
great wisdom, shall think most meet; and that your excellency will 
also be pleased to write in our behalf and favor to the Lords of the 
Council of Trade and Plantations, or such ministers of state as your 
excellency shall judge convenient in and about the premises. 

“And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 


“ Gabriel Bernon, 
Pierre Ayrould, 
Thomas Fox, 
George Cuttler, 
William Pease, 
Edwin Carter, 
Franklin Pope, 
Richard Newland, 


William Brinley, 

Isaac Martindale, 
Robert Gardiner, 
Thomas Paine, 
Thomas Mallett, 
Robert Wrightington, 
Anthony Blount, 
Thomas Lillibridge.” 


This petition was delivered at Newport, 26tli September, 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


169 


1699, and forwarded to the Board of Trade by Lord Bella- 
niont on 24th October. It was received and read on 5th 

January following. In his letter, inclosing it to the Board, 
Bellamont says : 

“I SC11(1 y° ur lordships the petition of several persons in Rhode Island 
for a Church of England minister, and a yearly settled maintenance for 
one. I hope your lordships will please to patronize so good a design, 
and will obtain his majesty’s allowance of a competent maintenance for 
such a minister. It will be a means, I hope, to reform the lives of the 
people in that island, and make good Christians of them, who at present 
are all in darkness.” 

Tlie petition was sent by the Board of Trade to the Bishop 
of London, who presented it to the king, by whom it was re¬ 
ferred back to the board, April 16, for their opinion upon 
what was proper to be done in the matter. 

Other petitions tor promoting the Gospel among the Indians 
were pending at the same time. From these movements 
originated the Society for Propagating the Gospel in 
Foreign Parts, incorporated in 1701, by whom, two years 
later, the Bev. James Honey man was sent out as a missionary 
to this station, upon the petition of the wardens of Trinity 
church to that society for aid. Meanwhile, Rev. Mr. Lockyer, 
who had gathered the church early in 1690, new style, served 
as its rector, and their first meeting-house was completed in 
1702. The present venerable Trinity church, at Newport, 
around which sleep many distinguished persons of that early 
period, was erected in the year 1726. 

Their first meeting-house, as above, proving too small for 
the number who worshipped there, it was removed, and the 
present edifice erected on its site.* 


* In this church was often heard the voice of the celebrated George Berkeley, Dean of 
Derry, who resided in Newport about two and a half years. He arrived in that town, 
January 23, 1729, with his family, and soon after purchased a country-seat and farm about 
three miles from the city, and there erected a house which he named “Whitehall.” He 
was admitted a freeman of the colony in May following. His labors and influence while 
in this country resulted in much good in imparting an impulse to the literature of the 
country. 


12 



170 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


The length of time in which Gabriel Bernon resided in 
Newport has not been ascertained, but it is known that he 
removed from this place to Narragansett (North Kingston), 


He visited Cambridge in 1731, and, during his residence here, contributed many valuable 
Greek and Latin classics to Harvard college. To Yale college he presented 880 volumes, 
and, on his departure from Newport, he gave the Whitehall estate, consisting of his 
mansion, and one hundred acres of land, to that institution, for the support of three 
scholarships there, in Latin and Greek. 

After his return to England, in 1733, he sent a magnificent organ, as a donation to 
Trinity church in Newport, which is still in constant use, and bears an inscription 
which perpetuates the generosity of the donor. 

While at Newport, he formed a society for the purpose of discussing philosophical 
questions and of collecting books. From this source originated the Redwood Library, 
of which all lovers of books, who visit Newport to spend the summer, have a knowledge, 
and highly appreciate its value as a place of instruction as well as social amusement. His 
country-seat, Whitehall, and the natural alcove in the elevation called the “Hanging Rocks ” 
(roofed and open to the south, presenting a beautiful view of the ocean and adjacent 
island, which, it is said, he used to frequent to study, about half a mile southerly from 
his residence), have become noted places of resort for visitors. 

Here he wrote his “ Alciphron; or, Minute Philosopher,” an ingenious defense of the 
Christian religion, and that celebrated ode, a monument to his genius, on the prospect of 
planting the arts and sciences in America. The first was printed at Newport, by James 
Franklin, the first printer in Rhode Island, who established the first printing-press here 
in 1732. See Thomas’ History of Printing, vol. i, p. 419; also, S. G. Arnold’s History 
of Rhode Island, vol. n, p. 100. The ode is as follows: 

“ ODE. - 

“ The muse, disgusted at an age and clime, 

Barren of every glorious theme, 

In distant lands now waits a better time, 

Producing subjects worthy fame. 

In happy climes, where, from the genial sun 
And virgin earth fresh scenes ensue, 

The force of art by nature seems outdone. 

And fancied beauties by the true. 

In happy climes, the seat of innocence, 

Where nature guides and virtue rules— 

Where men shall not impose for truth and sense 
The pedantry of courts and schools— 

There shall be sung another golden age, 

The rise of empire and of arts, 

The good and great inspiring epic rage, 

The wisest heads and noblest hearts. 

Not such as Europe breeds in her decay, 

Such as she bred when fresh and young. 

When heavenly fame did animate the clay, 

By future ages shall be sung. 

Westward the course of empire takes its way; 

The four first acts already past, 

A fifth shall close the drama with the day; 

Time’s noblest offspring is the last.” 



EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


171 


Mild engaged there in establishing the second Episcopal church 
in Rhode Island, in 1707. 

He was ardently engaged in the propagation of the Episco¬ 
pal church in this colony, and was a correspondent of the 
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. 
The Rev. David Humphries, of London, Secretary of that 
Society, gave an historical account of its operations in Amer¬ 
ica in 1730. This society, which was established in 1701, 
had tor its object the dissemination of religion, according to 
the forms of the English church. He was also in correspond¬ 
ence with Bishop Berkeley and the Earl of Bellamont, on 
the subject of establishing the Episcopal church at Provi¬ 
dence. 

Mr. Bernon removed from Narragansett to Providence, and 
there was instrumental in establishing the third Episcopal 
church in Rhode Island. The Rev. James Honeyman and 
Dr. James McSparron were his principal co-operators in this 
object. The church edifice was commenced there in 1722, 
and completed, and the Rev. George Pigot, who had been a 


Although Bishop Berkeley failed in accomplishing the design of his visit to America— 
the establishing a college at the Bermudas for the purpose of training pastors for the 
colonial churches, and missionaries to the Indians—yet, he united his name with America, 
which will remain in perpetual remembrance; and it is not a little remarkable that a large 
portion of the funds which were raised to aid him in carrying out the object of his visit 
to America, should fall into the hands of his esteemed friend, General James Oglethorpe, 
the founder of Georgia, to be there used for similar benevolent designs, in the colony of his 
own planting, which he lived to see become one of the free and independent United States 
of America. General Oglethorpe was born, December 21, 1688, and died, June 30, 1785, 
aged ninety-seven. 

In 1734 Dean Berkeley was raised to the Bishopric of Cloyne, and retired to Oxford in 
1752, and died there, January 14, 1753, aged seventy-three. 

See vol. iv, Rhode Island Hist. Soc. Collections, pp. 13 and 30-36, by Romeo Elton; also see 
S. G. Arnold’s History of Rhode Island, vol. ii, pp. 17, 99, 100, and 169; and Stevens’ History 
of Georgia, vol. i, pp. 78, 209, and 212. 

Dean Berkeley brought with him, in pursuance of his contemplated object in visiting 
America, a corps of literary men and artists, among whom was John Smibert, a Scotch 
painter, born in Edinburgh about 1685; died at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1728. He had arrived 
at a respectable position as a painter in London, and was induced, in 1758, to accompany 
Dean Berkeley to America, and, on the failure of the benevolent scheme of the latter, he 
settled in Boston. He painted many distinguished persons of that day in New England and 
Middle States, and was the principal pattern after whom Copley and Trumbull emulated. 
The large painting of Berkeley and family and himself, on their first landing in America, 
now in the possession of Yale college, is his most celebrated work. 



172 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


missionary at Stratford, Connecticut, was called to this place, 
and established as its first rector, in 1723.* * * § 

There were many other colonies of these French Protest¬ 
ants that were planted about this time in other parts of the 
country, which it is not the purpose here to describe. 

Of the colony which settled on the shore of Long Island 
sound, and founded the town of New Rochelle, in New York, 
it is said they purchased of John Pell 6,000 acres of land. 
Although forced to leave their native land where they had 
suffered, yet the love of country continued to be strongly 
manifested. It is stated that here: 

“ One venerable Huguenot would go daily to the shore, when, direct¬ 
ing his eyes towards the direction where he supposed France was situated, 
would sing one of Marot’sf hymns, and send to Heaven his early morning 
devotions. Others joined him in these praises of their God, and re¬ 
membrances of their beloved native clime, from which they had been 
banished by the merciless forces of persecution.”}; 

These Huguenots bought their lands here by a release from 
Jacob Leisler, who purchased of John Pell, in their behalf, 
September 20, 1689. The release hears date, “31st May, 
1690.” It, however, appears, by the charter of Trinity church, 
at New Rochelle (wherein they specify), that “ they fled from 
France in 1681.”§ 

There was another colony of Huguenots who settled in 
Ulster county in the year 1677, at which time they purchased 
a large tract of country of the Indians, on the west side of 


* See S. G. Arnold’s History of Rhode Island, vol. ix, pp. 76-77; also, vol. m, Rhode Island 
Hist. Soc. Collections, pp. 131-135; and see vol. rv, Rhode Island Hist. Collections, pp. 
265-267 

t Clement Marot was born at Cahors, in 1495, and died in 1544 ; he was the first poet of 
his day; his hymns in France were like Dr. Isaac Watts’ in England, whft was born at South¬ 
ampton, 1674, died in 1748. 

t See Weiss’ History of French Protestant Refugees, vol. n, p. 304. 

§ See Bolton’s History of Westchester County, vol. i, pp. 375-382. Their first church 
was erected here in 1692-93. David Bonrepose, D. D., who accompanied the Huguenots in 
their flight to this land, was their first pastor. The Rev. Daniel Bondet was their second 
minister. See Huguenots in America, by Samuel Smiles. Appendix by G. P. Disos- 
way, p. 432. 





EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


173 


Hudson river, about seventy miles from Hew York. The 
location is in the mountain region along the valley of the 
beautiful stream called the Wallkill. 

Many of these first settlers were of those who fled from 
France to the Palatinate, in Germany. The name of their 
settlement, called “ New Paltz,” is derived from Palatinate. 
The names of these first planters were Louis Dubois, Abraham 
Dubois, Abraham Hasbrouck, Andries Lefevre, Isaac Dubois, 
Jean Hasbrouck, Peter Deyo, Louis Bevier, Antonie Crispell, 
Hugo Freer, and Simeon Lefevre. These, the first purchasers, 
took the name of patentees. 

It is related that on their arrival here, on the banks of the 
Wallkill, as soon as they had unharnessed their teams and 
unpacked their goods, they assembled together, opened their 
Bibles, read Psalm xxiii, and then engaged in solemn acts 
of religious worship. A fitting and appropriate commence¬ 
ment of a new settlement by those who had, through persecu¬ 
tion, sacrificed property, home, and their native country, that 
they might enjoy the worship of God, according to the dic¬ 
tates of conscience. 

Here, on the eastern bank of this stream, they erected, 
among their first buildings, a meeting-house, used for the pur¬ 
poses both of religious worship and school for their children. 
This house was built of logs. In this rude structure they first 
enjoyed that sacred right—religious liberty—for which they 
had made so great a sacrifice. 

Their determination to possess freedom in matters of faith, 
is beautifully expressed in “ The Huguenot’s Farewell,” by 
Mrs. Hemans, quoted by Mr. Stitt: 

“ And I obey—I leave their towers 
Unto the stranger’s tread; 

Unto the creeping grass and flowers, 

Unto the fading pictures of the dead. 


174 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


I leave their shields to slow decay, 

Their banners to the dust; 

I go, and only bear away 
Their old majestic name—a solemn trust. 

I go up to the ancient hills 
Where chains may never be; 

Where leap in joy the torrent rills, 

Where man may worship God, alone and free. 

There shall an altar and a camp, 

Impregnably arise; 

There shall be lit a quenchless lamp, 

To shine unwavering through the open skies. 

And song shall ’midst the rocks be heard, 

And fearless prayer ascend; 

While thrilling to God’s most Holy word, 

The mountain pines in adoration bend. 

And there the burning heart no more, 

Its deep thought shall suppress; 

But the long buried truth shall pour 
Free currents thence amidst the wilderness. 

Then fare-tliee-well, my mother’s bower, 

Farewell, my father’s hearth! 

Perish my home! whence lawless power 
Hath rent the tie of love to native earth. 

Perish! let death-like silence fall, 

Upon the lone abode; 

' Spread fast, dark ivy—spread thy pall! 

I go up to the mountains, with my God.” 

The early history of the church and settlement at New 
Paltz, recorded as it transpired—the oldest church in the pos¬ 
session of the Consistory, and written in the French language, 
extending from the time of its organization, January 22, 
1683, to 1702, nineteen years—has been preserved. 

It contains eight different handwritings, including the auto¬ 
graphs of Abraham Hasbrouck, Louis Dubois, .and Louis 
Bevier. 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


175 


The first entry in the record is an account of the organiza¬ 
tion, which reads as follows: 

“ January 22d, 1683. 

“Mr. Pierre Daillie, minister of the Word of God, arrived at New 
Paltz, and preached twice on the Sunday following, and proposed to 
the families to choose, by a majority of votes of the fathers of families, 
an elder and deacon, which they did, and chose Louis Dubois for elder, 
and Hugh Freer for deacon, to aid the minister in the management of 
the members of the church, who were then confirmed to the said charge 
of elder and deacon.” 

Mr. Daillie, while here, divided his time between this church 
and the French church in the city of New York, up to the 
time he left to become the pastor of the French church in Bos¬ 
ton. He was succeeded in the duties as pastor of this church 
by Rev. David Bonrepose, who was the first pastor of the 
church at New Bochelle, where he was succeeded by the Bev. 
Daniel Bondet, in 1699, who came from Boston, where his 
place as pastor was filled by Mr. Daillie. 

Mr. Daillie having left New Paltz in 1696, Mr. David Bon¬ 
repose took his place, and preached his first sermon there, 
May 31, 1696.* 

The Dutch settlement of New Netherlands, now New York, 
received its first permanent planters early in May, 1623. Pre¬ 
vious to this date, from the time of the discovery of this 
country and its noble river by Henry Hudson, in 1609, it had 
been the resort of trappers and fur traders. 

The first colonists were Walloons, of French origin. They 
inhabited upon the frontiers, between France and Flanders, 
extending from the Scheldt to the river Lys. They spoke the 
old French or Gallic language, and professed the Reformed 
religion. 


* See History of the Huguenot Church and Settlement at New Paltz, by Rev. Charles H. 
Stitt, D. D. 

The foregoing, relating to this settlement and church, is mostly taken from Mr. Stitt’s 
pamphlet, for which the writer is indebted to his kindness in complying with his request 
for a copy of the same. 




176 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


During the thirty years’ war between the seven provinces of 
the Netherlands and Spain, which resulted in the independ¬ 
ence of the former, the Walloons distinguished themselves 
by their valor in battling for freedom and the rights of con¬ 
science in union with their Dutch associates. 

The Dutch West India Company, who controlled this new 
colony, subject to the approval of their doings by the States- 
General of the United Netherlands, sent out, in the ship Neth¬ 
erlands thirty families of these Walloons, under the charge of 
Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. They sailed from a port 
in the island of the Texel (near the main-land) in March, 1623, 
and arrived early in May on the Hudson river. A part of 
these Walloons located at New Amsterdam (New York), and 
others were sent up the river to Fort Orange, a trading-post 
—now Albany—while several of these families planted them¬ 
selves on the east side of the Hallegat, or East river, on the 
borders of a cove, near the present site of the United States 
Navy-Yard, which took the name of Wahle Bocht (Walloons 
Bay); but, by a corruption of this name by the English, it is 
now known as the Wallabout. 

These few families were the founders of the city of Breuk- 
len (Brooklyn). It is said that Sarah Bapelje, daughter of 
Joris Bapelje and Catelina Trico. born here in 1625, was the 
first white child, or Christian born, in New Netherlands. 

The Dutch government continued in this colony to 1664,* 
a period of about fifty years, when it became, by conquest, an 


* The names of the Dutch directors or governors, were as follows : 

The first was Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. Served from 1623 to 1624. One year. 

The second was William Verhulst. Served from 1624 to 1625. One year. 

The third was Peter Minuit, (‘ailed governor, from 1625 to 1633. Eight years. 

The fourth was Wouter Van Twiller. Served from 1633 to 1638. Five years. 

The fifth was William Keift. Served from 1638 to 1647. Nine years. 

The sixth, and last, was Peter Stuyvesant. Served from 1647 to September 8, 1664. 
Seventeen years. 

See E. B. O’Callaghan’s History of New Netherlands; also see John Romeyn Brodhead’s 
History of State of New York. 



EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


177 


English colony, and, in honor of the Duke of York, took the 
name of New York. 

During the period of rule by the Netherlands, who main¬ 
tained free toleration of all systems of religious faith, it 
became the resort of the exiles of the Reformed religion, who 
had for many years fled to the United Provinces of the Neth¬ 
erlands for shelter and protection. Among the exiles a large 
number were of French origin. 

In the early period of the history of the colony of New 
York, the number of the inhabitants that were French and 
Dutch was so great, and their language so generally spoken, 
it was necessary to publish all laws in both the Dutch and 
French language, as well as the English, at a subsequent 
period. 

The growth and prosperity of the city and State of New 
York is greatly indebted to the commencement and continu¬ 
ance of religious toleration ; like the country from which it 
originated, it has been the favorite resort of persecuted 
religionists, and lovers of freedom of all countries. 

It is represented that in the year 1689 there were two hun¬ 
dred French families in the city of New York and vicinity, 
who came here about the time of the Revocation of the Edict 
of Nantes.* 

The government of France contemplated, at one time, 
seriously, capturing the city of New York, to punish the 
French citizens who had fled here, that had escaped from 
France. 

Louis XIV attributed much of the encroachments by the 
English upon his Catholic subjects in the Canadas to the 
ill-feeling of the French Protestants in New York and 
New England.! 

The acts of liberality of William Penn, in matters of faith 


* See documents relating to the colonial history of New York, vol. in, p. 050. 
t See same, vol. ix, pp. 425, 509, 540-549. 





178 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


and political policy in liis proprietary in Pennsylvania, induced 
colonists from all Protestant countries in Europe to settle in 
that province. Many of the Dutch and French, and also 
Swedes, had commenced settlements upon its borders before 
Mr. Penn received his title to the country. The early history 
of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware is largely con¬ 
nected with that of New York. The elementary ideas of 
religious toleration and political freedom emanated from the 
Dutch Fatherland. 

The exiled Huguenots of the Palatinate and Holland, set 
tling there through a period of more than 100 years, from 
the commencement of the civil wars in France in 1561, 
were largely of the number who first settled in the Middle 
States.* 

Virginia received a share of these exiled Huguenots in 
1690 ; under the patronage of King William, a colony settled 
on the banks of James river, about twenty miles aboye Rich¬ 
mond. These were of the number who followed the Prince 
of Orange into England, and took part with him in the Irish 
war. They founded the town of Manakin; this district sub¬ 
sequently took the name of “ The Parish of King William.” 
Their numbers were greatly increased in 1699 by other 
escaped refugees. Their minister was Claude Philippe de 
Richbourg.f 

A large colony of these refugees settled in North Carolina, 
in the territory between the rivers Neuse and Trent. These, 
with a number of families from the canton of Berne, in 
Switzerland, aided by Christopher, Baron de Graffenreid, a 
nobleman from that place, formed a flourishing plantation, 
which they called New Berne , in honor of Berne in that country. 

These foreigners, although coming from different countries, 


* Sec Brodhead’s New York, pp. 620; also, 745-760. 

t See Beverly’s Virginia, chapter xm; also, Campbell’s Virginia, p. 370; also see 
Proud’s History of Pennsylvania, vol. i, p. 219. 




179 


EARLY HISTORY OF“OXFORD. 

were principally of French origin. Their firmness and per¬ 
sistency in their religious faith, and their tolerant considera¬ 
tion towards others who differed with them in such matters, 
gave ample evidence that they were fit inhabitants for laying 
the foundation of a government controlled by the exercise of 
individual sovereignty. 

They proved themselves worthy citizens, and many distin¬ 
guished names in that State trace their origin to these Hugue¬ 
not ancestors.* 

South Carolina was more largely identified with this class 
of exiles who fled from France than either of the before- 
mentioned colonies. Through all its early history they gave 
tone and character to the population. Many were direct from 
France, but more from the countries to which they had pre¬ 
viously fled for protection. 

There were many of the Palatines that fled into Holland 
and England, at the time their country was laid waste by fire 
and the sword of the French army, under Turenne, in the year 
1674. Many thousands of this people were made destitute by 
the burning of whole towns and cities. 

The English government gave friendly encouragement to 
this class of people; there could not be any better or more 
suitable people to supply planters to their rising colonies in 
America, and, by rendering aid in their transportation to Eng¬ 
land, opened the way for their removing to America, to which 
these refugees gladly embarked in large numbers. 

While Louis XIV was depopulating his European domains, 
and forbidding their settlement within the limits of his colo¬ 
nies in America, England was adopting a reverse course, which 


* See Francois Xavier Martin’s History of North. Carolina, vol. i, pp. 232-235; also, Hugh 
Williamson’s History of North Carolina, vol. i, p. 184, and note o, pp. 275-281. This note 
gives the contract of Christopher, Baron de Graffenreid, and Louis Mitchel, for intro¬ 
ducing these early planters, called “ Palatines.” 

It bears date the “10th day of October, Anno Domini, 1709, and in the eighth year of our 
Sovereign Lady Anne, by the grace of God, Queen of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, 
Defender of the Faith;” with Graffenreid and others. 




180 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


added large numbers of valuable colonists to her several prov¬ 
inces, and furnishing great strength and power, whose antag¬ 
onistic element to the French ultimately proved the ruin of 
that interest on this continent. 

As early as the year 1679, Charles II, with the intention of 
introducing the production of wine, oil, and silk in the mild 
climate of the Carolinas, gave encouragement to the planting 
of the French agriculturists there. Although they received 
at this time many families of this class of French Protestants, 
they were not successful in the object designed; yet they 
proved themselves valuable citizens. 

Many honorable names have descended from this- 1 class of 
the early planters in South Carolina. The following are 
among the number: Henry Laurens, one of the Presidents of 
the Continental Congress, who, on his resignation received the 
appointment of Minister to Holland; being captured on his 
way to Europe by the English, he was confined in London 
from 1778 till the close of the Revolutionary War, and wdien 
released received a commission, and joined Dr. Franklin, 
John Adams, and John Jay; and with them negotiated the 
preliminaries, and signed the treaty of peace, November 30, 
1782, by which the Independence of the United States was 
acknowledged. 

Gabriel Manigault, another descendant of these refugees, 
was a successful merchant of that colony, who, at the com- 
i nencement of the Revolutionary War, to relieve that colony 
from its pecuniary embarrassment, and to enable it to prepare 
for the impending struggle, granted her a loan of $220,000, 
and at his death, in 1781, at the age of seventy-seven years, 
left to the South Carolina Society of Charleston £5,000 ster¬ 
ling, to educate destitute children. The name of Francis 
Marion, a pattern of valor and patriotism, is exhibited in bril¬ 
liant colors in the history of the Revolution. He was a de¬ 
scendant of a French refugee. 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 


181 


The late Hugh Swinton Legare was another; lie received 
the appointment of Attorney-General of the United States 
from President Tyler, and, as W. C. Preston, an able states¬ 
man, remarked, 66 his practice as attorney-general was at¬ 
tended with the most conspicuous success.” Among the other 
names of these French planters in South Carolina are found 
Benoist, Bosquit, Boiseau, Bouneau, Chevalier, Cordis, Bacot, 
Dupre, Delisle, Duboise, Deveraux, Dutarque, Deleseline, 
Dupont, Francheraud, Gaillard, Guerard, Godin, Giradeau, 
Gourdine, Horry, Huger, Mellichamp, Maurau, Priolean, 
Porcher, Postell, Peyre, Bavenel, Simmons, St. Julian, Trev- 
enaut, etb.* 

Other refugees settled in Georgia. Among these were the 
colony of Salzburgers. Their ancestors were from the pre¬ 
cinct of Savoy,| driven from their homes through the persecu¬ 
tion of the dukes of that province. They sought a retreat in 
the valleys of the rivers Salzer and Tyrol, in the mountain re¬ 
gion, in the western part of Austria. Their persecutions here 
were almost unparalleled. After many years of peace and 
quietness, about thirty thousand were driven, in three years— 
from 1729 to 1732—from that country through the influence 
of the Bomish priests, simply for their adherence to a differ¬ 
ent religious faith. They were reduced to a state of destitution, 
and compelled to find homes among the benevolent of Protest¬ 
ant countries. They were everywhere received with kind¬ 
ness and hospitality, for their known peaceful and industrious 
habits. 

About the time of the commencement of the colony of 
Georgia, the British government, through their aid, enabled 

* See Ramsay’s History of South Carolina, vol. i, pp. 5-8 ; also, vol. n, pp. 481-501 ; and 
for the inhuman treatment of the Palatines, see Menzel’s History of Germany, vol. n, chap¬ 
ters 224, 225-227 ; also, Miss Pardoe’s Louis XIV and Court of France, chapters 8-9. TI c 
terrible sufferings of the people of the border provinces of Germany can scarcely be described. 
The generals of Louis XIV, under the direction of Louvois, the minister of war, had full lib¬ 
erty to pillage, bum, and destroy. 

t These were French Protestants. 






182 EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 

the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, in the 
year 1734, to transplant a number of these distressed Salz¬ 
burgers into this new colony. 

They were first provided with means to reach England, and 
then embarked for their new destination. After a long sea 
voyage they reached Charleston, South Carolina, where they 
met the proprietor of the province of Georgia, General 
James Oglethorpe, who extended his kindness and aid in 
forwarding them to Savannah, where they arrived, March 
12, 1734. 

It was their desire to settle in a hilly country like that from 
which they came, where there were springs of clear water and 
flowing streams. A tract of this description was found about 
thirty miles in the rear of Savannah, between two small rivers, 
which were branches of the Savannah river. 

To this locality they soon removed, and, having all safely 
arrived, they knelt in prayer, and sung a psalm of thanksgiv¬ 
ing for their deliverance from their trials, and for their pleas¬ 
ant new home, which they named Ebenezer —a place of rest. 
They were highly pleased with the delightful climate, and the 
richness of the soil of their plantation. They applied them¬ 
selves with great industry in clearing their lands, and reducing 
them to the cultivation of various products of the soil. They 
soon had erected comfortable dwellings, and houses for their 
religious worship, and schools. Here, under the guidance of 
the benevolent Oglethorpe, others of this people soon joined 
them, when their new home in the wilderness became a thriv¬ 
ing and prosperous plantation. 

The reputation of General Oglethorpe’s proprietary soon 
drew to it many that sought relief from religious oppres¬ 
sion. 

Among these foreigners were many sent there by the cele¬ 
brated Nicolaus Ludovicus, Count of Zinzendorf, the founder 
of the Society of the United Brethren. His idea was to 


/ 


EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD 


183 


found a Christian community on the model of the primitive 
Apostolic congregations. 

From this effort originated the sect, called “ Moravians.”* 


* See Stevens’ History of Georgia, vol. i, chapters n and hi; also see Menzel’s History of 
Germany, vol. m, pp. 33-40. For an account of the Salzburgers, see same, pp. 55, 131-132. 

James Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia, was born in the county of Surrey, in England, 
June 1,1688, and died the 30th of June, 1785, aged ninety-seven, having lived to see the colony 
he founded become one of the free and independent States of the American Union. Zinzen- 
dorf was born in Dresden, May 26, 1700. He died at Herrnhut, May 9, 1760. He came to 
America in 1741, and remained in the country about two years. He preached at German¬ 
town, Bethlehem, and Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania. 

He traveled extensively into the different colonics and among the Indians. His mission 
was in the cause of peace and religion. The colony he established in Georgia left that pro¬ 
prietary, and removed to Pennsylvania in 1744. The chief colony of the Moravians was at 
Bethlehem in this province. Like the Quakers, they did not approve of warfare. Some 
further remarks concerning the United Brethren will be found in another part of these his¬ 
torical collections. 









ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 

OXFORD. 



CHAPTER III. 

f | NIIS movement began by the following proclamation 
and deed from the proprietors of the grant to certain 
English settlers: 

“ To all persons unto whom these presents shall come: Joseph Dudley, 
of Roxbury, in the county of Suffolk, and province of the Massachusetts 
Bay, in New England, Esq.; William Taylor, of Dorchester, in the 
same county, Esq.; Peter Sargent, of Boston, Esq., and Mehetable, his 
wife; John Nelson, of Boston, Esq., and Elizabeth, his wife; as they, 
the said William Taylor, Peter Sargent, and John Danforth, are the 
heirs and executors of the Hon. William Stoughton, late of Dorchester, 
deceased, send greeting: 

‘ 1 Whereas , The General Court of the colony of the Massachusetts Bay, 
in the year one thousand six hundred and eighty-two, granted to said 
Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, Major Robert Thompson, and their 
•associates, a certain tract of land in the Nipmuck country, eight miles 
square, for a township, as may be seen more at large by the records of 
the General Court, pursuant whereunto, and for the uses aforesaid, the 
said Joseph Dudley, William Stoughton, and their associates, in the 
year one thousand six hundred and eighty-six, brought over thirty 
families of French Protestants into this country, and settled them upon 
the eastern part of the said tract of land, and reserved, granted, and 
set apart 11,250 acres for a village, called Oxford, for the said families, 
and bounded it as by a plat upon record will more fully appear; but 
forasmuch as the said French families have, many years since, wholly 
left and deserted their settlements in said village, and the said lands, as 
well by their deserting the same, and refusing to return, upon public 
proclamation made for that end, as by the voluntary surrender of most 
of them, are now reinvested in and restored to and become the estate 
and at the disposition of the original proprietors, their heirs and suc¬ 
cessors, for the ends aforesaid: 

11 And, whereas, There are sundry good families of her Majesty’s sub¬ 
jects within this province who offer themselves to go out and resettle the 
13 



186 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT 


said village, whereby they may be serviceable to the province, and the 
end and design of the original grant aforesaid be answered and attained: 

“Now, know ye, that the said Joseph Dudley, William Taylor, Peter 
Sargent, and Melietable, his wife, John Nelson, and Elizabeth, his wife, 
and John Danforth, and Elizabeth, his wife, for and in consideration 
and to the uses and intents above mentioned— 

“Have fully, freely, and absolutely, and by these presents, do give, 
grant, and confirm unto Samuel Hageburn, John Town, Daniel Eliot, 
Abiel Lamb, Joseph Chamberlain, Benjamin Nealand, Benoni Twitchel, 
Joseph Rocket, Benjamin Chamberlain, Jr., Oliver Collier, Daniel Pier¬ 
son, Abram Skinner, Eben. Learned, Thomas Leason, Eben. Humphrey, 
Jonathan Tillotson, Edmund Taylor, Ephraim Town, Israel Town, 
William Hudson, Daniel Eliot, Jr., Nathaniel Chamberlain, John Chand¬ 
ler, Jr., John Chandler, and others, their associates, so as their num¬ 
ber amount to thirty families, at least, all that part of the said tract of 
land, etc., etc., herein above mentioned; Provided , always , that if any 
of the persons, grantees above named, or any of their associates, shall 
neglect to settle upon and improve the said land, with themselves and 
families, by the space of two years next ensuing,—or, being settled 
thereon, shall leave and desert the same, and not return to their re¬ 
spective habitations in the said town, upon due notice given,—that then, 
in such case, it shall and may be lawful to and for the rest of the gran¬ 
tees and, their associates, heirs, or assigns, respectively, or the major part 
of them, to seize upon and take the said estate or estates of such person 
or persons so deserting. Excepting always, and reserving to Gabriel 
Bernon , merchant, the whole of his right, grant, or purchase, which made 
one of the original proprietors, as by deed or record thereof may appear. 

“ In witness whereof,\ The parties above named to these presents have 
hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals, the 8th day of July, 
in the 12th year of her Majesty’s reign, Anno Domini, 1713. 

“(Signed), 

“ J. Dudley, John Danforth, 

William Taylor, Elizabeth Danforth, 

Peter Sargent, John Nelson, 

Mehetable Sargent, Elizabeth Nelson, 

and each a seal. 

“ Boston, July 15, 1713—Received and recorded with the Records of 
Deeds for the county of Suffolk, Book xxvii, p. 174. 

“ Per ADDINGTON DAVENPORT, 
“Attested, Register. 

John Town, 

Clerk of Oxford .” 


Taken from 1st book of the “Town Records.” 


OXFORD. 


187 


The following is the first division of the proprietors’ lands. 
Drawn by lot, January 18, 1714-15. To each man of the 
thirty families, for his house lot. Each lot to be thirty acres: 


1 Daniel Eliot, J.„ 

2 Ephraim Town, 

3 Samuel Hageburn, 

4 Benoni Twitchel, 

5 Isaac Learned, 

6 Joshua Chandler, 

7 Ebenezer Humphrey, 

8 David Pierson, 

9 William Hudson, 

10 Benjamin Nealand, 

11 Joseph Chandler, Jr. 

12 Daniel Eliot, 

. 13 Abiel Lamb, 

14 Thomas Gleason, 

15 John Town, 


16 John Collier, 

17 Joshua Whitney, 

18 Joseph Rocket, 

19 Ebenezer Learned, 

20 Joseph Chamberlain, 

21 Thomas Huskins, 

22 Edmund Taylor, 

23 Ebenezer Lamb, 

24 Nathaniel Chamberlain, 

25 Jonathan Tillotson, 

26 Oliver Collier, 

27 John Chandler, Jr., 

28 Benjamin Chamberlain, Jr., 

29 Abraham Skinner, 

30 Israel Town. 


The first vote recorded on the proprietors’ books is under 
date, “September 13, 1713:” Voted: “That Peter Shumway* 
shall come in as an inhabitant of Oxford upon the right of 
Joshua Chandler.” 

MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION. 

Upon due warning given, by warrant from John Chandler, 
Esquire,! one of her majesty’s justices of the peace for the 
county of Suffolk, for the choice of town officers, a town 
meeting was held, July 22, 1713 : 

It was then voted that three persons should be chosen for selectmen 
for the present year. 

Chose, John Town, } 

“ Benoni Twitchel, > Selectmen. 

“ Joseph Chamberlain, ) 

“ John Town, For Town- GlerJc, 

“ Thomas Huskins, “ Constable , 

“ Oliver Collier, “ Highway Surveyor, 

“ Abiel Lamb, “ Tything-Man. 

All of whom were sworn before John Chandler, justice of peace. 

* Peter Shumway was one of the French settlers in the first plantation, and the only one 
of the first that at this time united with the second. Andrew Sigourney came later, 
t This John Chandler was a resident of Woodstock, then in the county of Suffolk. 





188 ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 

The first charge in the town books, after the organization, 
was a law book, and book for town records, bought at the 
public expense of the town. 

TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 19, 1713. 

Voted: “That John Town, Samuel Hageburn, and Benjamin Cham¬ 
berlain, should be a committee to lay out a minister’s lot and burying- 
place.” 

MARCH MEETING, 1714. 

Voted: “That each bt man shall pay his equal proportion of ten shil¬ 
lings a Sabbath, for a quarter of a year, to Mr. John Janies, for his 
preaching with us. ” 

This Mr. John James was, no doubt, the first minister who 
preached to the people of Oxford, who composed this second 
colony for the settlement of this town. 

FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

July 29, 1714. 

Voted: “To build a meeting-house thirty feet square, and eighteen 
feet stud, and to set the house on the west side of the highway, near 
Twitchel’s field.” 

This location is understood to be near the north-east corner 
of the old burying-ground. A committee being raised for the 
purpose, it was voted “ that every lot man should pay his equal 
proportion of labor for building the meeting-house, as the 
committee shall direct, or pay two shillings and sixpence a 
day for every day’s neglect, in money, to said committee.” 

The finishing of the house seems not to have been accom¬ 
plished for some years. This delay was evidently from the 
want of ability to do so. In 1716 the town chose a commit¬ 
tee^ to petition the General Court for aid in supporting the 
Gospel, but with what success does not appear. 

In 1715 Rev. Benjamin Shattuck was engaged by a com¬ 
mittee of the town for two days, and received, for compensa¬ 
tion, thirty shillings. The committee were directed to treat 
with him for further services. 


OXFORD. 


189 


The next year, 1716, the town raised £30 for the support of 
preaching the Gospel. At this time there was no organized 
church in this plantation, so that whatever was done to pro¬ 
cure a minister devolved on the town authorities. 

October 7, 1718, Mr. John McKinstry was invited by the 
committee of the town to preach. It appears that there was 
a strong desire among the people to secure his settlement as 
their minister. 

As an inducement, it was voted by the proprietors, “ that he 
should be an equal proprietor with the rest of Oxford Village.” 
It was voted by the town, “ that he be offered a salary of £60, 
a hundred acres of land, and £60 to be paid in labor in build¬ 
ing, breaking up the ground, and in fencing.” 

This generous offer was not accepted; no reasons are 
recorded. Mr. McKinstry was afterwards settled as the first 
minister of Sutton. He was born in Scotland, and educated 
at the university of Edinburgh. 

It is not improbable that he might have been an acquaint¬ 
ance, and, perhaps, a fellow-student of Mr. Campbell, who 
afterwards became the minister of Oxford. 

In 1720 the selectmen of the town applied to the associa¬ 
tion of neighboring ministers for their advice respecting Mr. 
John Campbell, a candidate for the ministry, then in their 
employ as their minister. 

The association replied as follows : 

Woodstock, September 7, 1720. 

“We, the subscribers, having been acquainted with the Rev. Mr. 
Campbell, now of Oxford, do approve of him as a person endowed with 
ministerial accomplishments. We hope and believe that, by the bless¬ 
ing of Heaven, he will serve to the glory of God and the spiritual edifi¬ 
cation of sohls, in the place where Divine Providence khall fik him in 
the Gospel ministry. 

“(Signed) Josiah Dwight, Joseph Baxter, 

John Swift, Robert Buck, 

John Prentice, Joseph Dorr. 

“ To the Selectmen of Oxford” 


190 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


It appears, from the records of the town, that Mr. Camp¬ 
bell had been employed a few months previous to the date of 
the letter from the association, before referred to, and that the 
people had a great desire to settle him. 

July 15, 1720, a committee of five, of wliicji John Town 
was chairman, was chosen and instructed to make definite 
proposals to Mr. Campbell in reference to his settlement. 

This committee presented the following report: 

“In the name of the inhabitants of the town: 1st. We called the 
Rev. John Campbell to be our minister. 2d. We promised to the said 
Mr. Campbell £60 salary. 3d. That the said Mr. Campbell himself, 
his heirs, and assigns, have freely given them the lot already laid out for 
the first minister of Oxford, with the rights thereunto belonging, and 
one hundred acres joining the above, if it can be had; if not, where it 
can be conveniently had. 4th. That we will give the said Mr. Camp¬ 
bell one hundred pounds settlement, in work, as reasonably as others 
have work for the money in Oxford; twenty-five pounds of it to be paid 
quarterly, as shall be directed by Mr. Campbell, provided he shall be will¬ 
ing to live and die with us in the work of the ministry.” 

Tlie following reply was made by Mr. Campbell to the 
committee who made the call: 

“Gentlemen: I have your call and proposals before me, and, upon 
mature deliberation, I accept your call and proposals to me, and hereby 
promise to be willing to continue with you in the work of the ministry 
as the Lord shall enable me, provided you continue a ministerial people. 

“JOHN CAMPBELL.” 

Some three months before the ordination of Mr. Campbell 
a church was formed, by the aid of neighboring ministers, on • 
the basis of the following covenant: 

“•We do now, under a soul-liumbling and abasing sense of our own 
utter unworthiness of so high a privilege as God is graciously putting 
into our hands, own and accept of God the Father, Son, and Holy Gh >st, 
for our God, in covenant with us, and do accordingly give up ourselves 
and our seed, according to the terms of the everlasting covenant, to Him, 
to be His, under the most sacred and inviolable bonds; promising, by the 
strength of His grace (without which we can do nothing), that we will 


OXFORD. 


191 


walk as becomes saints, according to the rules of God’s Holy Word, 
submitting ourselves and our seed to the government of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, as Head of the Church, and to the watch and discipline of this 
church; managing ourselves toward God and man, all in civil and 
sacred authority, as becometh those who are under the teachings of 
God’s Holy Word and Spirit; also, declaring it to be our resolution, 
that, in all things wherein we may fall short of duty, we will wait upon 
God for His pardoning mercy and grace, in and through our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever.” 

The following persons, who were members of other churches, 
mostly in Roxbury and its vicinity, signed this covenant: 


NAMES. 


John Town and wife, 

Benj. Chamberlain and wife, 
Isaac Learned and wife, 
John Cummings and wife, 
Abraham Skinner and wife, 
Ebenezer Learned and wife, 
Philip Ammidown and wife, 
Abiel Lamb and wife, 


Israel Town and wife, 

Benoni Twitchel and wife, 
Joseph Willey and wife, 

Samuel Barton and wife, 

David Town and wife, 

Nathaniel Chamberlain and wife, 
Thomas Gleason and wife, 
Collins Moore and wife. 


The church being now formed, according to the Congrega¬ 
tional usage, they, in their ecclesiastical character, chose Mr. 
Campbell for their pastor, which they would have previously 
done, had the church been formed. 

By vote of the church (with which the town concurred), the 
ordination was appointed for March 1, 1721. The ordination 
services were as follows, viz.: 


“ Introductory Prayer, by Rev. Joseph Dorr, of Mendon. 

Sermon, by Rev. John Prentice, Lancaster. Ephs. vi, 18-19. 
Prayer before the Charge, by Rev. Josiah Dwight, of Woodstock. 
Charge, by Rev. Joseph Baxter, of Medfield. 

Prayer after Charge, by Rev. Robert Buck, of Marlborough. 

Right Hand of Fellowship, by Rev. John Swift, of Framingham. 
Benediction, by Rev. John Campbell, the pastor.” 


THE SECOND MEETING-HOUSE. 

As early as 1737—fifteen years after the erection of the first 
house for religious worship—the town began to agitate the 


192 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


question of a new house. The population not only required 
more room than the old house afforded, but the northern part 
of the town, which extended into what is now Auburn, de¬ 
manded a more central location. 

Many town meetings were held, and much discussion was 
had on the location of the house. It was finally determined 
that it should be set near the center of the original grant for 
Oxford village, about 11,250 acres. This center is near where 
the present Town Hall now stands. It was, however, several 
years before the new house was built. 

In 1748, though the new meeting-house was but partially 
finished, the town voted that “the congregation shall meet in 
the new meeting-house on the fourth Sabbath in this July, 
instant, to carry on public worship.” 

The next year the old meeting-house was sold to Moses 
Gleason for £66. The new house, though occupied, was not 
finished till 1752, at which time the town voted to accept the 
report of the committee appointed to dignify and appraise the 
pews. 

What was the precise duty of said committee, and the pro¬ 
cess by which they arrived at their result, is a matter of some 
curiosity, as well as obscurity.* 

The cost of the new house, as appeals by the receipt of 
David Baldwin, the builder, was £640 14s. 11 d. 

September, 1752, it was voted, in town meeting, that “the 
pew next to the pulpit, on the east side, shall be the minister’s 
pew.” Also voted, that “ those who were highest in the rates 
of their real estate towards building our meeting-house in 
Oxford proceed to draw their pews.” 


*It is believed that the term “ dignify,” as here used, was to give the preference, in the 
selection of pews, to those heads of families most noted in public affairs, and for their 
liberality in providing the means for the erection of the new house,'and the support of pub¬ 
lic worship. It also extended to those most eminent in the church. This distinction was 
common in that day, but far different from the democratic tendencies of the present 
time. 



OXFORD. 


“The names of pew proprietors, 
follows, to wit: 

and the valuation of 

pews, stands as 


Pew No. 

£ 8. d. 

Col. Ebenezer Learned, - 

3 

52 16 00 

Dea. Samuel Davis, 

- 18 - 

- 44 00 00 

Widow Elizabeth Mayo, 

14 

45 15 04 

Captain Elijah Moore, 

- 8 - 

- 51 10 00 

Rev. John Campbell, 

13 

46 12 11 

Lt. Samuel Davis, 

- 1 - 

- 52 16 00 

Jonas Pratt, 

17 

39 11 03 

Edward Davis, 

- 2 - 

- 51 18 00 

Josiah Kingsley, 

6 

41 16 06 

Jonathan Pratt, Jr., 

- 19 - 

- 28 03 03 

Duncan Campbell, 

5 

48 08 01 

William Davis, 

- . - 22 - 

- 22 17 02 

Ebenezer Coburn, - 

20 

24 13 04 

Ebenezer Humphrey, - 

- 9 - 

- 48 08 01 

Isaac Learned, Jr., 

10 

22 17 02 

Joseph Philips, - 

- 11 - 

- 39 11 03 

Dea. Jonathan Town, 

12 

40 08 10 

John Learned, 

- 16 - 

- 22 17 02 

Lt. Thomas Gleason, 

23 

23 17 02 

Thomas Davis, 

- 24 

- 23 17 02 


“David Mackintire dissents against the proceedings, because, he says, 
that he has not his right in the distribution of the pews.” 


In a warrant for a town meeting, May 26,1761, is an article, 
to see if the town will grant any sum of money to pay the cost 
and charge of the Rev. John Campbell’s funeral that was ap¬ 
pointed to be on Wednesday, 17th. 

Ten pounds were granted for said funeral expenses. 

It is to be regretted that nothing is recorded either in the 
town or church records concerning the latter part of the 
ministry of Mr. Campbell. 

It is believed, however, that this venerable man retained 
his bodily and mental powers so as to perform the functions 
of his office down to the close of his life. 

Some further notice will be taken of Mr. Campbell here¬ 
after, in this work. 

After the death of Mr. Campbell Rev. Ebenezer Grosvenor 


194 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


supplied the pulpit, and received a call, both from the church 
and town, to settle here in the ministry; but, for reasons not 
mentioned, he declined the call. 

The pulpit was supplied by various ministers, till Novem¬ 
ber, 1764, when the Rev. Joseph Bowman was installed. 
Sermon on the occasion by the Rev. Ebenezer Parkman, of 
Westborough. 

Mr. Bowman continued in the ministry with the church 
and people here, until dismissed, at his own request, in 
August, 1782. He suffered much neglect in receiving pay¬ 
ment for his stipulated salary, which, during the struggle of 
the Revolutionary War, the people were unable to pay, and 
discharge their liabilities for town, state, and the general 
government expenses, at that time. 

From the dismission of Mr. Bowman to November, 1790— 
a period of near eight years—no entry was made on the rec¬ 
ords of the church. Of course, the church was without a pas¬ 
tor, and must have been reduced to a very feeble state. From 
the records of the town, however, it appears that money was 
raised, from time to time, for preaching, and committees ap¬ 
pointed for occasional supplies for the pulpit. 

In 1790 Mr. Elias Dudley was a candidate, and was or¬ 
dained and settled as pastor of the church, April 13, 1791. 
The sermon on the occasion was by the Rev. Dr. Emmons, 
of Franklin : 1st Timothy, iy, 13. Mr. Dudley soon became 
infirm and depressed, and at his own request, repeatedly 
made, after a ministry of about eight years, was dismissed, by 
an ecclesiastical council, in 1799. 

In September following Mr. James Davis preached for some 
months as a candidate. 

After him, Mr. Samuel Brown was employed for near a 
year. In 1802 and 1803 Mr. Hubbel Loomis supplied the 
pulpit. Each of these gentlemen successively received an in¬ 
vitation to settle, but declined. 


OXFORD. 


195 


In March, 1805, Mr. Josiah Moulton was ordained and set¬ 
tled as minister over tlie church and town. Sermon on this 
occasion was by Rev. Mr. Wood, of Upton. In March, 1813, 
the following communication was made to the town by Rev. 
Mr. Moulton : 

“TO THE FREEHOLDERS OF THE TOWN OF OXFORD. 

4 4 Gentlemen: 

4 4 Whereas, the raising of my salary by taxation upon the whole town 
is attended with considerable inconvenience, and seems to have been 
the occasion of no small disturbance; and whereas, I am not disposed to 
be the instrument of discord and contention in society,—it is therefore 
my desire and request that the contract formed between me and the 
town, in 1805, respecting said salary, be dissolved and close from and 
after the 27th of March instant. 

“JOSIAH MOULTON.” 

Mr. Moulton was dismissed by an ecclesiastical council in 
April, 1813, after a ministry of about eight years. 

Here now commences an era in the history of the religious 
affairs of Oxford. Up to this date the Congregational minis¬ 
ter had been supported by the town ; his salary was raised by 
taxation, the same as all other town expenses, such as schools 
and repairs of highways, etc. 

The fathers of New England were of one religion, and for 
many years no other religious faith was permitted to be estab¬ 
lished for public worship. It was deemed proper by them 
that all the population should, according to their ability, bear 
an equal proportion of the expense for supporting religion, as 
well as education, for both were deemed essential to the wel¬ 
fare of the community. 

The laws of the commonwealth gave a preference to the 
Congregational denomination, then known as the standing 
order ; and, while it authorized the assessment and collection 
of taxes for the support of this sect, it denied it to all other 
religious sects. This law gave great dissatisfaction as other 


196 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT. 


denominations of religion became established, and, finally, 
the Legislature passed exemption laws, protecting other sects 
from taxation for the support of the ministers of the standing 
order, under stated conditions. 

An exemption law was enacted in 1757, providing that all 
parties claiming themselves to be Quakers, or Anabaptists, 
who desired to have their polls and estates exempted from 
such tax, should file a list of their names before the 1st day 
of February then next ensuing, and afterwards, during the 
continuance of this act, before the 20th day of July, annually, 
to the assessors of such town, and signed by three or more of 
the principal members of the meeting or sect to which they 
belonged, who were to certify their belief that the persons 
named in such lists were persons who were conscientiously of 
the persuasion therein set forth, and did attend such meet¬ 
ings. In some towns the names of all who belonged to the 
Anabaptists, or Quakers, were publicly read in town meeting, 
and a vote passed exempting such from taxation, as afore¬ 
said, and releasing them from the obligation of filing a certi¬ 
ficate. 

The laws had been very rigid against both the Anabaptists 
and Quakers, but more particularly against the latter. Qua¬ 
kers were not allowed to be assessors, where a majority of the 
board had been elected to that office. 

In this town, after the year 1813, the tax for the support 
of the Congregational minister was assessed upon only those 
who actually belonged to that society, and attended upon its 
worship. 

This terminates the connection of the religious affairs of 
Oxford with the ordinary political matters. Henceforth they 
will be treated in this work under the separate head of 
“ Ecclesiastical Affairs.” 


OXFORD. 


197 


SCHOOLS. 

It does not appear that there was any definite act of the 
town in reference to a public school till 1733, when it was 
voted that the selectmen should procure a school-master. In 
1736 the town voted : 

“ To build a school-house, fourteen feet wide by twenty feet long, 
with a chimney at each end. To be located near the meeting-house.” 

This, it appears, was a central house. To accommodate the. 
remote parts of the village (the whole east side of the town 
being so called), several houses were erected, in which the 
school was alternately kept, by the direction of the selectmen. 

In 1740 Richard Rogers was hired by the selectmen, on a 
salary of £60, for a year, to teach in such places as they shall 
direct. Four places are specified—two at the north, and two 
at the south ends of the town; a quarter of a year in each 
place. 

Mr. Rogers seems to have become a fixture in his profes¬ 
sion ; his salary was voted regularly from year to year. In 
1751 the town voted : 

“ To build a house for Mr. Rogers to live in, as long as he shall be our 
school-master; to be placed on the town’s lands near the meeting-house; 
to be sixteen feet wide and eighteen feet long.” 

In 1762 the town voted : 

To sell the house which our late school-master lived in.” 

So that he must have kept school in town at least twenty- 
two years. 

This long service is facetiously alluded to in one of his 
receipts, on file with the town papers: 

“Oxford, May 8, 1747.—Then reckoned with the selectmen, and 
received £60, in full, for keeping school in said Oxford, from the begin¬ 
ning of the world to this day. I say received by me, 

“RICHARD ROGERS.” 


198 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


PROCEEDINGS OF THE TOWN IN TIME OF THE 
REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

Nothing of special interest appears on the records of the 
town till 1774, when great excitement pervaded the whole of 
the English colonies, springing from the oppression of the 
mother country, and violation of their chartered rights ; and 
in Massachusetts, more especially, from the hostile attitude of 
General Gage, at Boston. 

The following was an article in the warrant for town meet¬ 
ing, May 17, 1774 : 

Article 3d.—“To see if the town will give their representative any 
instruction concerning the making good the damage done in destroying 
the tea in the harbor of Boston some time since, and do and act thereon 
as the town shall think proper ” 

This article was dismissed, and not brought to a vote. 

The following record will show the spirit of the people in 
reference to the existing difference between the mother country 
and the colonies. At a meeting of the freeholders and other 
inhabitants of the town of Oxford, assembled on the 29th of 
September, 1774, voted: 

“ To choose Edward Davis, Esq., Moderator. 

“1st. Resolved , That, as by the late acts of Parliament we are 
deprived of the constitutional laws of the government of Massachusetts 
Bay, we will endeavor to maintain and keep peace and good order in 
this town; to support and uphold all civil officers in the execution of 
their offices, so far as they conform themselves to the charter rights of 
this government, and assist them duly to punish all offenders against 
the same laws; to bear testimony against all riots, as well as against 
any number of men collecting in bodies together to hurt the person or 
property of any one. 

“2. Resolved , That we ever have been, and will be, true and loyal 
subjects of our most gracious Sovereign, George III, King of Great 
Britain, so long as we are permitted the free execution of our charter 
rights. 

“ 3d. Resolved , That, considering the present alarming and distressed 
circumstances of this province, it is highly necessary for the military 


OXFORD. 


199 


officers of this town to resign their commissions, and, therefore, do 
advise the said officers to resign accordingly; and that the soldiery, as 
soon as may be, to elect the same officers to take the command of the 
different companies in this town, if they will accept, and the major part 
of the soldiery shall elect them; and if any refuse to serve, then to 
choose others, experienced in the arts of war. in their stead.” 

At the same meeting voted and chose: 

“ Dr. Alexander Campbell and Capt. Ebenezer Learned to attend the 
Provincial Congress, at Concord, on the second Tuesday of October 
next, or at any other town in the province that shall be agreed upon. 

“ The foregoing resolves are passed, with no other aim or view than 
to keep peace and order in this town, until we can hear of some meas¬ 
ures taken by the Continental Congress, now sitting at Philadelphia, to 
which we mean strictly to adhere. ” 

The Continental Congress, which was then in session at 
Philadelphia, resulted in the publication of a “ Bill of Rights,” 
which was submitted to the people. One article of high 
practical importance was the “ Non-Importation Compact.” 
They agreed, and associated themselves and their constituents, 
under the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and the love of liberty, 
not to import or use any British goods after the 1st day of 
December, 1774, particularly the articles of tea and molasses. 

Committees were to be appointed in every place to see that 
this agreement was observed, and those who violated it were 
to be denounced as enemies to the rights of their country. 

Of the great men who composed this Congress, Lord 
Chatham remarked in the British Parliament as follows : 

“That, though he had studied and admired the free states of antiq 
uity—the master-spirits of the world—yet, for solidity of reasoning, 
force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, no body of men could 
stand in preference to this Congress; in the presence of their own pecu¬ 
liar difficulties, did not forget the cause of suffering humanity, but 
made, with other resolutions, one by which they bound themselves not 
to be in any way concerned in the Slave Trade.” 

The recommendation and doings, both of the Continental 
Congress and the Provincial Congress at Concord, were read 


200 ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 

in open town meeting in this town, and unanimously ap¬ 
proved; and at the same meeting a committee of inspection 
was appointed to see that these measures recommended be 
duly observed. 

At the same meeting : 

Voted: “ That the province tax now in the Constable’s hands be paid 
into the town treasury, and there remain till further orders; and if the 
Constable be put to any cost for withholding the money from the 
province treasury, the town will pay the cost.” 

By these votes, especially the last, the town had fully com¬ 
mitted itself to the cause of the Revolution. 

It is worthy of note to observe the perfect uniformity of 
sentiment in the interior towns of Massachusetts. Each was a 
miniature representative of the cause and principles which 
then agitated the whole country. 

At a town meeting, July 8, 1776, four days after the Dec¬ 
laration of Independence at Philadelphia, and before the in¬ 
telligence of that event was received, the following vote was 
passed: 

Voted: “To advise our representative in the General Court, that if the 
honorable Congress should, for the safety of the colonies, declare them¬ 
selves independent of the kingdom of Great Britain, to concur there¬ 
with ; and the inhabitants of this town do solemnly engage, with their 
lives and fortunes, to sustain the measure.” 

It is interesting to notice the transition from allegiance to 
the King of Great Britain to the new government of the 
State, as it appears in the warrants for town meetings. The 
warrant for March meeting, in 1775, is in this form, viz. : 

“The freeholders of this town are hereby required, in the name of 
his majesty, to meet,” etc. 

One month later the form of the warrant reads as follows: 

“The freeholders, etc., are requested and desired to meet,” etc. 

Then, on the 12th of October, 1776, the style of notice is 
changed to the following form : 


OXFORD. 


201 


“ The'freeholders, etc., are notified and warned, in the name of the 
Government of the people of this State, to meet,” etc. 

SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION. 

The number of names of volunteers and men drafted for the 
army from this town are not found upon its records. The list 
here given has been obtained from the recollection of aged 
persons, recently living, and from the office for the payment 
of pensions to Revolutionary soldiers. The number of Revo¬ 
lutionary soldiers, as ascertained, who served from this town, 
are as follows: 


Gen. Ebenezer Learned, 

Elisha Blanden, 

Capt. William Moore, 

Francis Blanden, 

Capt. John Nichols, 

Jonas Blanden, 

Lieut. Benjamin Vassall, 

Sylvanus Learned, 

Lieut. Ebenezer Humphrey, 

Arthur Daggett, 

Lieut. Jacob Town, 

Elisha Ward, 

Jason Collier, 

David Stone, 

David Lamb, 

Ebenezer Robbins, 

Frost Rockwood, 

-Sewell, 

Ebenezer Pray, 

Sylvester Town, 

William Simpson, 

Levi Davis, 

George Alverson, 

Elijah Learned, 

Caleb Barton, 

Sylvanus Learned, 

John Learned, 

Richard Coburn, 

David Town, 

Jacob Learned, 

Allen Hancock, 

Silas Eddy, 

Peter Shumway, 

Solomon Cook, 

Abijah Kingsbury, 

Elijah Kingsbury, 

Joseph Hurd, 

Ezekiel Collier. 

James Meriam, 



In September, 1776, a meeting of the town was called, by 
the recommendation of the General Court: 

“To consider and determine whether the House of Representatives, 
together with the Council, in equal voice, shall form a system of govern¬ 
ment for the State for its future safety and happiness, and whether the 
same shall be made public for the inspection of the people before it be 
ratified by the Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay.” 

14 



202 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 

The town very wisely chose a committee to consider the 
subject, and report. This committee met, attended to that 
service, and made report as follows : 

“ First. It appears that if the present General Court is properly con¬ 
stituted to act on any matters since the Declaration of Independence, 
which is disputed, yet there is a very unequal representation of the sev¬ 
eral towns in the State at present, in that some towns are allowed to 
send a large number of members, barely in consideration of population, 
without regard to • lands and real estate, which appears to be in conse¬ 
quence of an Act passed by a former General Court, when there was a 
very thin house; and therefore the present General Court is not in a 
situation to act on matters of such importance as forming a constitution 
for after generations in the State. 

“ Whereas , Mature consideration and deliberation appears necessary 
to be used in a case of such importance, we apprehend it should not be 
proceeded upon unless there is a more equal representation, and taking 
some further time for consideration and information touching said mat¬ 
ter. 

“Oxford, September 7, 1776. 

“ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, 
“EDWARD DAVIS, 

“EZRA BOWMAN, 

“ WILLIAM PHIPPS.” 

The following are some facts relating to Colonel, afterwards 
General, Learned : 

In 1775, immediately after the battle of Lexington, Colonel 
Ebenezer Learned, with his regiment, reported for service at 
Cambridge, and, with Colonels Prescott and Warren, was 
ordered to join General Thomas at Roxbury. How long 
Colonel Learned remained with the army at that time does 
not appear. He was, however, in the army in 1777, as briga¬ 
dier-general, and was present at the surrender of General Bur- 
goyne. 

For reasons not satisfactorily known, General Learned then 
left the service and never entered it again. He was considered 
a brave and humane soldier. He survived the Revolution 
about twenty years, and was honored in civil life; but no 


OXFORD. 


203 


monument commemorates his services, nor even indicates the 
time of his death or place of burial. 

It is reported that Captain Stephen Barton stated that 
General Learned was buried in the old cemetery on Oxford 
Plain, and that his grave was near that of his father, Colonel 
Ebenezer Learned. 

As in most towns at that period, some part of the people of 
Oxford were not favorably disposed toward the efforts for the 
Revolution; but the records of the town show its promptness 
and liberality in aid of the cause. 

In 1777 the town voted “ to add to the bounty offered by 
the American Congress and this State, the sum of £14 to 
each man who shall enlist in the town as a private soldier for 
three years, or during the war, before any draft be made.” 
At the same meeting, it was voted “ to raise £1,000, to be as¬ 
sessed on the polls and real estate in the town, to complete the 
quota of soldiers now sent for to reinforce the Continental army.” 

In the same year the town voted to choose Daniel Griffith 
“ to carry the evidence of those that may be proceeded with 
as being inimical to the United States of America, to the 
Court, as is by law directed.” No number or name is re¬ 
corded, and no further record appears, touching this subject, 
of those opposed to the war or the American Union, for its 
efforts for independence. 

In addition to various installments of money, clothing, and 
aid afforded to the families of soldiers in 1780, the town voted 
“ to provide 5,760 pounds of beef for the army.” 

The numerous and heavy drafts for this cause rested heavily 
upon the people, as appears from numerous petitions for 
abatement of taxes. 

In 1778 the town voted “concurrence with the Articles of 
Confederation proposed by the American Congress,” and at 
the same meeting voted to “ pay £800 into the State treasury. 

In August, 1779, the town chose Ebenezer Learned, Esq., and 


204 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


Ezra Bowman, delegates to the State Convention at Cambridge, 
to aid in forming a constitution of government for the State. 

The first election of State officers was held, September 4, 
1780. The votes polled were as follows : 


For Governor, 

John Hancock, - 

- 21 votes. 

u u _ 

James Bowdoin, 

2 

u 

“ Lieut.-Governor, 

James Bowdoin, 

- 10 

u 

u u 

Artemus Ward, 

11 

u 

1 ‘ Senators, 

Edward Davis, - 

- 11 

it 

u u 

Seth Reed, 

9 

it 

it u _ 

William Demmon, 

- 14 

i i 

U U 

Moses Gill, 

4 

it 

“ Councillors, - 

Israel Nichols, 

- 9 

u 

u u 

William Payne, 

10 

u 

u u _ 

Jonathan Ward, 

- 13 

u 


The doings of Oxford in regard to the Revolution is almost 
a duplicate of the acts of the other towns of the State, partic¬ 
ularly of those in its vicinity. 

Their vigilance* is shown by the choice of a committee in 
almost every town, called the “ Committee of Correspond¬ 
ence, Inspection, and Safety,” whose duty it was to keep the 
town informed of the movements of the American Congress, 
the State government, and that of other towns ; also, to keep 
watch of any parties inimical to the Revolutionary cause, and 
to report their names to a “Vigilance Committee” of the 
State, that they might be proceeded against if their conduct 
was worthy of notice. 

THE OXFORD ARMY, UNITED STATES TROOPS. 

In October, 1799, a detachment of the United States army, 
in the administration of the Federal government by President 
John Adams, was stationed at Oxford, under command of 
Colonel Rice.* 

* This Colonel Rice was Nathan, son of Rev. Caleb Rice, the first settled minister in 
Sturbridge, a graduate of Harvard university, in 1773, and having served for a time in 
the war of the Revolution, he received a colonel's commission afterwards in the service 
of the United States, and, in 1798 and 1799, served in command of the troops here sta¬ 
tioned; afterwards removed to Burlingtoji, Vermont, and died there about 1830. 



OXFORD. 


205 


They consisted of four regiments, and were encamped on 
the hill west of the present post-office. 

In the following June they were disbanded. Nearly 
$100,000 in specie was disbursed here to the soldiers, and 
other expenses. 

Whether this was an advantage to the town, or not, is a 
question not easily solved. The quartering of troops among 
the citizens of towns has a corrupting influence, not to be 
compensated by money. 

The raising of these troops and the expenses to the Federal 
government, by what was called, by opposing parties, “Adams- 
army,” proved an unpopular affair for Mr. Adams’ administra¬ 
tion, and, although a wise and very popular precaution, was 
made use of by his opponents to influence public opinion 
against him. 

TERRITORY OF OXFORD. 

By the survey made of the territory of Oxford, in 1688, 
the number of acres, as then stated, was 41,245. It then 
embraced what has since become Charlton, about a third of 
Ward or Auburn, and a large part of Webster. 

In 1732 there was annexed to this grant a part of what 
was then known as “ Oxford South Gore;” and, in 1735, 
another tract of land, on its south border, known then as the 
farm owned by Paul Dudley; making its contents, at this 
time, fully 45,000 acres. 

Its first dismemberment began with setting off the west 
part of its territory to form the town of Charlton in 1754. 
Then was taken a large tract on the north border, to form 
the town of Auburn, in 1778—about one third of that town. 
Thus, when this town was surveyed by the order of the Legis¬ 
lature of 1794, for the purpose of a map of the State, its con¬ 
sents then were only 17,336£ acres. To this was added, in 
1807, another large piece of the South Gore; and, in 1809, 


206 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


twenty-six acres taken from Cliarlton, being part of land of 
Amasa Kingsbury, which increased her territory to about 
18,000 acres, when the south part was taken to make, with a 
part of Dudley, the town of Webster, in 1832. This south 
part, taken for Webster, contained much of the most valuable 
water-power within its limits—that which was purchased in 
1812 by Samuel Slater, as is more particularly described in 
the historical sketch of Webster. 

By the operations of Mr. Slater, by erecting extensive cot¬ 
ton-mills, bleaching and dye works, and also mills for the 
manufacture of wool, it gave an increase of population, which 
induced Mr. Slater and Sons, and others, in 1830, to petition 
for a town, to include, with this part of Oxford, a part of 
Dudley, lying east of French river. 

This effort for a new town was resolutely opposed by both 
the old towns, as taking from them their most valuable water¬ 
power, the principal reliance for an increase of their wealth 
and population. It was claimed, in the argument on the part 
of Oxford, that, should this petition be granted, it would re¬ 
duce her territory to about 15,000 acres, and take from her 
about 600 of her inhabitants. However urgent was the 
remonstrance by these old towns, it did not prevent the 
exchange of the name—Oxford South Gore—for the cele¬ 
brated name of Webster. The balance of Oxford North Gore 
was annexed to her territory, March 22, 1838. 

TOWN HALL. 

The town erected this hall in 1839, on the Old Common, 
about the centre of her territory. 



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OXFORD. 


207 


TOWN AND STATE OFFICEKS. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

John Town, for years 1713 and 1714. 

Benoni Twitchell, for years 1715 and 1716. 

Richard Moore, for years 1717, 1718, 1719, 1720, 1721. 

John Comins, for years 1722, 1723. 

Richard Moore, for years 1724, 1725, 1726, 1727, 1728. 

Jonathan Ballard, for year 1729. 

Richard Moore, for years 1730, 1731. 

Isaac Learned, for years 1732, 1733. 

Richard Moore, for year 1734. 

Israel Town, for year 1735. 

Isaac Learned, for years 1736, 1737, 1738. 

Eleazer Ward, for years 1739, 1740, 1741, 1742, 1743, 1744, 1745, 1746. 
John Wilson, for years 1747 to 1775, inclusive, 28 years. 

Samuel Harris, for years 1776 to 1799, inclusive, 23 years. 

Jonathan Harris, for years 1800 to 1812, inclusive, 13 years. 
Archibald Campbell, for years 1813 to 1819, inclusive, 7 years. 
Samuel Smith, for years 1820 to 1824, inclusive, 5 years. 

Benj. F. Town, for years 1825 and 1826. 

Charles S. Prentice, for years 1827, 1828, and 1829. 

Benj. F. Campbell, for years 1830 to 1837, inclusive, 8 years. 
Sylvanus Harris, for years 1838 to 1842, inclusive, 5 years. 

A. G. Underwood, for years 1843 and 1844. 

Willard Benson, for years 1845, 1846, and 1847. 

A. G. Underwood, for years 1848 to 1854, inclusive, 7 years. 

Wm. E. Pease, for year 1855. 

George F. Daniels, for year 1856. 

William E. Pease, for year 1857. 

REPRESENTATIVES: 

Captain Richard Moore, 1721. 

Captain Ebenezer Learned, 1726. 

Captain Ebenezer Learned, 1730. 

Samuel Davis, 1743. 

Benjamin Davis, 1749. 

Colonel Ebenezer Learned, 1751. 

Duncan Campbell, 1752 to 1755, inclusive. 

Edward Davis, 1756 and 1757. 

Duncan Campbell, 1758. 


208 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


Edward Davis, 1759, 1760, 1761, 1763. 

Joseph Wolcott, 1764, 1765, and 1766. 

Edward Davis, 1767, 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771. 
Captain Jeremiah Learned, 1772 and 1773.; 

Captain Ebenezer Learned, 1774. 

Edward Davis, 1775. 

William Campbell, 1776. 

Edward Davis and William Hancock, 1777. 

Captain William Hancock, 1778. 

Edward Davis, 1779 and 1780. 

Ebenezer Learned, 1783. 

Jeremiah Learned, 1784 to 1793, inclusive, 10 years. 
James Butler, 1794 and 1795. 

Sylvanus Town, 1798 to 1801, inclusive, 4 years. 
Sylvanus Town, 1803 to 1806. 

Abijah Davis, 1807 and 1808. 

Abijah Davis and James Butler, 1809. 

Abijah Davis, 1810 and 1811. 

Abijah Davis, 1813 to 1819, inclusive, 7 years. 
Abijah Davis, 1821. 

Richard Olney, 1826. 

Jonathan Davis, 1827 and 1828. 

Same and Richard Olney, 1829. 

Ira Barton and Alex. De Witt, 1830. 

Ira Barton and Alex. De Witt, 1831. 

Ira Barton and Alex. De Witt, 1832. 

Stephen Barton and Benj. F. Campbell, 1836. 
Sylvanus Harris and Francis Sibley, 1838. 

Sylvanus Harris and Francis Sibley, 1839. 

Ebenezer Rich and Alex. C. Thurston, 1840. 
Ebenezer Rich and Alex. C. Thurston, 1841. 

Emory Sanford, 1842. 

Israel Sibley, 1843. 

Jasper Brown, 1844. 

Erastus Ormsbee, 1845. 

David Barton, 1846. 

Jonas Bacon, 1847. 

Paul Perkins, 1849. 

David Wait, 1850. 

Albert A. Cook, 1851. 

Thomas Appleby, 1852. 

Emory Sanford, 1853. 

David Barton, 1854. 

James M. Sanford, 1855. 


OXFORD. 


209 


George W. Hartwell, 1856. 

Lament B. Corbin, 1857. 

Ira Merriam, 1859. 

Seth Daniels and Geo. Hodges, 1860. 

Moses Stone, 1862. 

MEMBERS OF STATE SENATE. 

Ira Barton, Esq., 1883 and 1834. 

Alex. De Witt, 1842, 1844, 1850,'and 1851. 

A. G. Underwood, 1855. 

Nathaniel Eddy, 1860. 


MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

Ebenezer Learned and Ezra Bowman, 1799. 

Richard Olney, 1820. 

Alexander De Witt, 1853 and 1856. 


OXFORD BANK. 


Incorporated, February 8, 1823.—Capital, $100,000. 


First Board of Directors. 


Aaron Tufts, 
Jeremiah Kingsbury, 
Henry Sargent, 
Joseph Thayer. 


Jonathan Davis, 
Richard Olney, 
Andrew W. Porter, 
Daniel Tourtellot, 
Nathan Hurd, 

First President, 
Second “ 

Third “ 
Fourth “ 

Fifth “ 

Sixth “ 
Seventh “ 
Eighth “ 

First Cashier, 
Second “ 

Third “ 


Jonathan Davis, 
Richard Olney, 

Aaron Tufts, 

Alex. De Witt, 

John Wetherell, 

John Jewett, 

Emory Sanford, 
Charles A. Angell, 
Sumner Bastow, 
Alvan G. Underwood. 
W. Olney, 


Elected March 13, 1823. 
“ Oct. 7, 1833. 

“ Oct. 3, 1836. 

“ Nov. 20, 1843. 

“ Jtily 31, 1848. 

“ Oct. 1, 1849. 

“ Oct. 12, 1857. 

“ Oct. 17, 1864. 

“ March 13, 1823. 
“ Nov. 17, 1845. 

“ May 28, 1855. 


The Oxford Bank changed into a National Bank, January 28, 1865. 


210 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


Present Board of Directors. 


Alexander De Witt, 
Samuel C. Paine, 
Emory E. Harwood, 


Allen L. Joslin, 
Clias. A. Angell, 


Emory Sanford, 
Benjamin A. Corbin, 
James B. Campbell, 
S. Wm. Smith, 


Oxford, October 23, 1872. 


Chas. A. Angell, President. 
W. Olney, Cashier. 


MANUFACTURING COMPANIES. 

THE OXFORD CENTRAL COTTON AND WOOLEN 
MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OXFORD. 

This company was incorporated, October IT, 1814. The 
names of the corporators were Daniel Fiske, John Hudson, 
William S. Fiske, Henry G. Learned, Joel and Daniel Eddy, 
Amos Hudson, Ezra Lovell, and Sylvanus Pratt, with the 
name of the Oxford Central Manufacturing Company, for 
the purpose of manufacturing cotton and woolen cloth and 
yarn, in the said town of Oxford, with the right to hold 
and possess real estate not exceeding $50,000, and personal 
estate not exceeding $100,000, for the carrying on the said 
business in the said town of Oxford. 

THE OXFORD COTTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 


OXFORD. 


This company was incorporated, June 13,1815. The names 
in the Act of Incorporation were: Charles Cleveland, Jacob 
Rich, Joseph Stone, William P. Ryder, Sylvanus Coburn, 
Jonathan Rice, Benjamin Eddy, Samuel Waters 2d; Israel 
Stone, Junior, Thaddeus Hull, Sylvester McIntyre, Elijah 
Waters, Jerah Stone, William Hull, and Elijah Rich, for the 
purpose of manufacturing cotton yarn and cloth in the town 


OXFORD. 


211 


of Oxford, with the right to hold and possess real estate, 
$30,000, and personal estate, $50,000. 

THE OXFORD WOOLEN COMPANY, OXFORD. 

The mill originally built by this company, located on the 
border of French river, about a mile west of Oxford village, 
was erected in 1824. The names of these proprietors were 
Lyman Tiffany, of Boston ; Richard Olney, Stearns De Witt, 
Alexander De Witt, Samuel Dowse, and a Mr. Morgan, of 
Oxford. 

THE OXFORD THREAD FACTORY, OXFORD. 

The purchase of real estate, land and water power, was 
under date of June 24, 1823, and the work for erecting this 
mill was then immediately commenced. The four De Witt 
brothers were the proprietors—Captain Stearns De Witt, 
Hollis De Witt, Archibald De Witt, and Colonel Alexander 
De Witt. 


MILLS AT NORTH OXFORD. 

There is a large granite-mill for the manufacture of wool, 
founded by Abisha Learned, Esq., and several cotton-mills, 
all erected nearly thirty to forty years since, but with many 
valuable additions and improvements which, at this time 
make this part of the town one of its most enterprising sec¬ 
tions. The exact history of these mills, and the names of 
most of the original founders, have not been ascertained. 

These mills are supplied with their water-power from the 
sources of the French river that come down from Leicester. 








' 

■ 

■ 


, : 














ECCLESIASTICAL. 


CHAPTER IY. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY, 
acts relating to this society are included with the 



records of the town affairs np to the year 1813 ; as, by 
law, this was the recognized society of the town, and the sup¬ 
port of the minister and the expenditure for the erection of 
the meeting-house, and incidental charges connected there¬ 
with, were items of taxation, the same as the support of 
schools and roads, and assessed upon all the real and personal 
property of the town. This mode of supporting religious 
affairs was very proper so long as there was but one faith and 
religious sentiment among the citizens of the town ; but, as 
there arose a difference of religious sentiment, this plan of 
support became odious, by compelling many to pay for the 
support of a faith opposed to their religious belief. 

Besides the spirit of oppression which this compulsory law 
produced, it was in violation of the spirit of the great central 
principle which was the foundation of the Reformation—free¬ 
dom of thought, and the right of private judgment. 

The Legislature, through a period of more than 100 years, 
had attempted to remedy this obnoxious law, and had 
passed a number of acts as reliefs ; but these aets were but 
palliatives, not satisfactory to those who felt themselves 
wronged, and deprived of those inalienable rights belonging 
to all members of the common body politic—a perfect equality 
before the law. 



214 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


In time, the oppressive spirit of this hiw induced many con¬ 
scientious persons of the standing order of faith, to oppose its 
execution, and some societies of that order voluntarily relin¬ 
quished all right of taxation, except upon the property of 
those who agreed with them in religious sentiment, and who 
assented to such tax. 

It was found by experience that the principle of voluntary 
support was all that was required, and that the societies that 
had adopted this mode were abundantly successful in their 
efforts. 

Finally, the people of Massachusetts were relieved of this 
oppressive law—the relic of a past and bigoted age—in the 
year 1833, by an act placing all religious denominations upon 
an equality of rights in matters of faith and practice.* 

The Congregational Society of Oxford came into the volun¬ 
tary mode of religious support in 1813. At this time they 
formed a constitution and by-laws for the management of the 
affairs of the society, which was offered for the signatures of 
such as professed the faith of this denomination, and were 
willing to join in its support. They found no difficulty in 
enrolling members; very soon over 100 families appended 
their signatures, assenting to the voluntary principle. 

The first minister under this new organization was the Rev. 
David Batcheller. He was installed in 1816. Peace and 
prosperity attended his ministry. The church was much 
increased and strengthened by his judicious and faithful labors. 
But his pastorate was short. He died in 1822. 

In 1823 a call was given to the Rev. Ebenezer Newhall, 
and accepted. He was ordained in December of the same year. 


* This credit is due to Rev. Thomas Whittemore, D. D., for his services in the Massa¬ 
chusetts Legislature, as chairman of a special committee, moved by him, for effecting a 
change in the “Rill of Rights,” or constitution of that State. This was in 1831. He 
continued as chairman in 1832 and 1833 of same committee, and finally effected this 
change by “an act,” which passed both houses, and approved by the people, giving per¬ 
fect religious liberty to all denominations. 



OXFORD. 


215 


The following year the society was reorganized, under an 
act of the Legislature of that year, relating to freedom in 
public religious worship. 

Under this reorganization the society has transacted its 
affairs to the present time. 

During Rev. Mr. Newhall’s ministry the society erected a 
new meeting-house. The funds for this purpose were obtained 
principally by voluntary contribution; the parties subscribing 
formed a society or corporate body by said act of Legislature, 
and the meeting-house was erected by this society, and became 
their property as proprietors, when finished. The whole cost 
was assessed upon the valuation of the pews in the same by 
an estimate according to favor in their location. Then the 
pews were all sold by public auction, for a choice, thus reim¬ 
bursing the subscribers to the building fund, and placing the 
house in the hands of the purchasers of the pews, who be¬ 
came sole proprietors of the house. 

This new house was dedicated the 3d of November, 1829. 
An appropriate sermon was delivered by Mr. Newhall, on the 
occasion, from the text, Psalms cxxxvii, 5. 

Nearly a year before this Mr. Newhall’s health became so 
feeble that he was unable to supply the pulpit, and for many 
S.abbaths provided preaching by others. In this affliction he 
received the sympathy and aid of his people. 

That his people loved and respected their pastor, there is 
ample evidence. 

A special meeting was called in September, 1828, to unite 
in some suitable manner to give expression to their sympa¬ 
thies in his behalf, when the following vote of the society was 
passed: 

Voted: “That the society raise, by subscription, the amount of $04, 
as remuneration to Mr. Newhall for money expended by him for the 
support of preaching during his illness.” 

Mr. Newhall’s health, though somewhat restored, continued . 


216 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


feeble; and lie was led by this, and other circumstances, to 
seek a dismission, and was dismissed by an ecclesiastical 
council, June 13, 1832. 

It is pleasant to revert again to the evidence on record of 
the continued affection, both of the society and the church, 
toward their afflicted pastor. At his dismission the society 
voted : 

“ That, in consideration of the past services of the Rev. Mr. Newhall, 
and of the respect the society bear towards him, that his salary be paid 
him for six additional months; he to render such ministerial service, 
during said time, as may suit his convenience.” 

The church put on record the following, viz.: 

Voted, unanimously: ‘ ‘ That this church expresses to the Rev. Eben- 
ezer Newhall their full approbation of him as an exemplary Christian, 
as a discreet, affectionate, and faithful Christian pastor.” 

Mr. Newhall was succeeded, in 1832, by the Rev. Loren 
Robbins, who was ordained in December of the same year. 

In 1836, June 8, Mr. Robbins was dismissed by the same 
council that installed his successor, Dr. Bardwell. There 
were, on the catalogue of the church, 270 members at this 
time. 

In 1726 Samuel Hageburn, one of the proprietors of the 
English settlers of the town, left, by will, fifty pounds for the 
use and benefit of the church, in manner as they might think 
best for any pious use. 

The avails of this bequest have been, in part, expended 
from time to time, as appears from the records, for the bene¬ 
fit of needy members, for incidental traveling expenses of the 
pastor and delegates on church business, for books in the 
church library, and for furniture for the communion service. 

In 1836 the church voted to appropriate what remained of 
the Hageburn fund to the erection of a vestry, for the use 
and under the direction of the church, provided a sufficient 


OXFORD. 


217 

amount should be raised by subscription, in addition, to effect 
the object. 

At a subsequent meeting of the church it was 

Resolved: “That the sum of $300 (it being the full amount of the 
Hageburn fund remaining in the hands of the church), be applied to 
the building of a vestry.” 

About $300, in addition, was raised by subscription for 
the object, and the vestry was erected. 

In 1853 the proprietors of the meeting-house 

Voted: 11 That the house be removed from the middle of the street, 
where it then stood, to the spot where it now stands; and also, that 
the church have permission, at their own expense, and for their own 
purposes, to place a basement story under the same, when removed.” 

This basement was fitted up by the avails of the old vestry 
and other grants of the church, together with subscriptions, 
at an expense of $1,589.50. It is now the exclusive property 
of the church. 

In 1857 a successful effort was made to transfer the owner¬ 
ship of the meeting house from its original proprietors to the 
First Religious Society. A large portion of the proprietors 
liberally gave in their pews ; and one individual, in addition 
to relinquishing two or more pews, gave $500 to aid in pur¬ 
chasing of those who were unable or unwilling to relinquish 
their property to the society without pay. 

The effect of this measure gave general satisfaction. The 
slips are now. rented annually to the highest bidder. The 
finances of the society are far less complicated, and its present 
state is peaceful and prosperous. 

The house, by a vote of the society, has recently been 
enlarged, at an expense of nearly $3,000.* 


* Much of the foregoiog ecclesiastical history of the first church of Oxford is taken 
from a manuscript left by the late Rev. Horatio Bardwell, D. D.; and the following account 
of the settlement, pastorate, and death of Dr. Bardwell has been obtained, by request made 
by letter, from Mrs. Bardwell, widow of deceased. It is taken from a communication pub¬ 
lished in the Congregationalist, after the doctor’s decease. 

15 




218 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


Rev. Horatio Bardwell, the successor of the Rev. Loren 
Robbins, was installed, June 8,1836, and continued a success¬ 
ful pastorate over this society, until 1862, when, by his re¬ 
quest, he was relieved of the active duties and responsibilities 
of the church ; at which time an assistant pastor accepted the 
position, and officiated in his stead. 

Finally, at the request of Dr. Bardwell, he was dismissed, 
June 5, 1864, and, at the same time, Rev. S. J. Austin was 
installed. 

The whole pastorate of Dr. Bardwell was twenty-eight 
years. He died, May 5, 1866, aged seventy-seven years. 

OBITUARY. 

The following notice, by Rev. Seth Sweetser, D. D., ap¬ 
peared in the Congregationalist: 

“ The funeral of the Rev. Horatio Bardwell, D. D., was attended at 
Oxford on Wednesday, May 9, by a very large concourse, the meeting¬ 
house being closely filled. Prayer was offered at the house of his son 
by Rev. S. J. Austin, pastor of the church. 

“ The services at the meeting-house consisted of appropriate singing, 
reading of the Scriptures, and prayer by Mr. Austin; sermon by the 
writer of this article, from John xi, 25, and a prayer for the bereaved 
family and friends by Rev. Dr. Paine, of Holden. 

‘ ‘ Dr. Bardwell, at the time of his death, was in his seventy-eighth 
year. He was born at Belchertown, Massachusetts, on the 3d of Novem¬ 
ber, 1788. His father’s family removed to Goshen in 1803. When nine¬ 
teen years old 'he united with the church, and in the following year put 
himself under the care of his brother-in-law, Rev. William Fisher, with 
whom he studied until he entered the seminary, at Andover, in 1811. 
He was licensed to preach by the Haverhill Association in 1814, and 
ordained on the 21st of June, 1815, as a missionary of the A. B. C. F. M., 
at Newburyport,in company with Messrs. Richards, Poor, Meigs, Warren, 
and Mills, with whom, excepting Mr. Mills, he sailed for India in the ship 
Dryad, on the 23d of the following October. He joined this mission at 
Bombay, the first established by the Board, and continued to labor with 
them until the climate had so impaired his health that the only hope of 
saving his life was an immediate removal. He left Bombay, and arrived 
in this country in 1821, having been absent about six years. 

‘‘After the partial recovery of his health he was installed over the 


OXFORD. 


219 


church in Holden, in 1823, as colleague with Rev. Mr. Avery, who lived 
less than a year after. Mr. Bardwell was called into the service of the 
Board, to act as agent of Foreign Missions in 1832, traveling and preach¬ 
ing in behalf of the cause. In 1836 he was installed at Oxford, and 
continued his pastoral labors till about two years previous to his death. 

“Mr. Bardwell was married, in 1815, to Miss Rachel Forbush, of An¬ 
dover, who survives him. He also leaves four sons and one daughter. 

“ In 1841 Dartmouth college conferred upon him the honorary degree 
of A. M., and, in 1857, Amherst college the degree of D. D. 

“ The key to the entire life and character of Dr. Bardwell is found in 
his consecration to the work of missions. He pursued his studies just 
at the period when the churches began to be stirred with a new zeal for 
extending the kingdom of God among the heathen. It was an untried 
experiment, and demanded singleness of purpose, firmness of faith, and 
heroic self-denial. 

“In giving himself then to the Lord, in an undertaking so arduous 
and perilous, he gave himself, without reserve, to the service of God for 
life. Whether in India or in his native land, it was his joy to live for 
Christ. Honored and beloved as a missionary, he was not less honored 
and beloved as a pastor. He gave full proof of the excellence of his 
spirit in the strength of his affections, his increasing watchfulness, and 
his care for the souls of his people. 

“ He was regarded by his brethren, and by all who knew him, as a 
man singularly unselfish, free from self-complacency, always ready to 
do, and always ready to yield; never shrinking from service, and never 
obtruding himself; always courteous, affable, and genial; always a man; 
a Christian always. 

‘ ‘ He had the peculiar and somewhat unfrequent merit of making most 
of himself and his opportunities. 

“He was conspicuously a diligent man, never slighting his pulpit 
preparations, and never neglecting the tasks assigned to him by his 
brethren. He was in the habit of writing out two sermons each week, 
and he continued this habit till the close of his pastoral office. His 
ministry was a successful one, marked by the members whom he was 
permitted to receive into the church, as well as the savor of a spiritual 
piety attending his preaching. 

“He has left a precious name, and his words and his example will 
long continue to animate and cheer those who have enjoyed his friend¬ 
ship and his instruction.”* 


* It is due to the late Rev. Horatio Bardwell, D. D., to state, that the writer of this his¬ 
torical sketch of Oxford procured from his widow, at the expense of $150, paid by his 
voluntary offer, many valuable historical facts relating to its history; but mostly such facts 
as were gathered from the records of the town, and its different religious societies, and not 
fudy prepared for publication. 



220 ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 

THE OXFORD PARSONAGE ASSOCIATION, OXFORD. 

This association was incorporated, December 11, 1816. 
The following were the corporators named in the act: Nathan 
Hall, Elias Pratt, John Meriam, Stephen Prince, Sylvanus 
Town, Charles Town, Peter Butler, Ebenezer Meriam, Abijah 
Davis, Archibald Campbell, James Gleason, Samuel Coburn, 
Joseph Brown, Jun., Martha Kingsbury, and David Nichols, 
incorporated into a body politic, by the name of the “ Oxford 
Ministerial Association.” They were authorized to raise, by 
subscription, the sum of $4,000, which was to be appro¬ 
priated to the purpose of purchasing land, whereon to erect a 
parsonage house for the use of the Congregational minister in 
the town of Oxford, and for building said house and other 
necessary outhouses, under the direction of trustees ; and the 
said land and buildings shall forever continue the property of 
the association, for the use aforesaid, and no other. Said 
property shall he divided into twelve shares of equal amount, 
to be distributed among the members of the association, pro- 
portionably, as they shall subscribe for the same; and said 
shares shall, at all times, be transferable, and may be conveyed 
by deed, or otherwise; and the owners of said shares or parts 
of shares shall be members of said association; and no person 
shall continue a member when he or she shall cease to have an 
interest in the shares as aforesaid. 

There shall be a meeting of said association on the 1st of 
March, annually, at which time there shall be chosen three or 
more trustees, a clerk, and treasurer, and such other officers as 


All these notes and preparations, as found, will be carpfuby arranged and deposited by 
themselves, to be preserved for any future use, in the care of the Soutbbridge Library, as 
will, also, all other collections of facts made in this connection by the writer of this histori¬ 
cal sketch, together with all other collections connected with the other parts of his publica¬ 
tions. 

Dr. Bardwell had partially prepared a brief history of the Reformation in France, which 
does not appear in this connection, but such manuscript will be preserved as above. Thus 
the labors of the Doctor will not, in any particular, be lost, but preserved for the future 
use of such as may desire them. 



OXFORD. 


221 


may be necessary to manage the affairs of the association, and 
the trustees shall see that the same is exclusively appropriated 
for the purposes before mentioned, and shall give bonds to the 
treasurer for the time being, conditioned faithfully to dis¬ 
charge their trust. 

A succession of officers is provided for, and the association 
have the right to make such by-laws as may be thought neces¬ 
sary, not repugnant to the constitution of this commonwealth. 
Each share entitled to one vote, and no more. 

UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 

The origin of the Universalist Society in Oxford, Massa¬ 
chusetts, dates back to the latter part of the seventeenth cen¬ 
tury. As early as 1777 there were persons of wealth and 
influence in Oxford, who professed a faith in the doctrine of 
the final salvation of all men, and who occasionally secured 
the services of clergymen of that faith. 

There was, however, no church organization of the believers 
of that faith for several years afterward. Prior to that date 
tradition tells of the frequent visits to Oxford of one Dr. Isaac 
Davis, of Somers, Connecticut, who conversed much on the 
subject, and made several converts to the faith. Probably to 
him may be traced the origin of the sect in Oxford. 

From 1777 to 1785 Elder Caleb Rich, of Warwick, and 
Elder Adam Streeter, of Douglas, who subsequently removed 
to Oxford, preached occasionally, and drew together many of 
the people of Oxford, and some from the adjacent towns, who 
soon became permanent supporters of the cause. 

On Wednesday, April 27, 1785, a meeting was holden at 
the school-house on Oxford Plain, for the purpose of consum¬ 
mating a legal organization. At this meeting Dr. Daniel 
Fiske was chosen moderator, and the following declaration 
was adopted: 

“ Whereas , A number of professors of the Protestant religion, being 


222 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT. 


principally of the inhabitants of Oxford, together with some persons of 
the adjacent towns, have, for a number of years past, assembled upon 
the Sabbath day, for public worship, and have attended to the instruc¬ 
tions of Rev. Adam Streeter, and supported him by free contributions 
from time to time, do now resolve to form themselves into a religious 
society, in conformity with the laws of the commonwealth.” 

Ezra Conant was then chosen secretary, and Samnel Davis, 
Jun., Collins Moore, and Jonathan Davis, of Oxford, Ebene- 
zer Davis, of Charlton, Ebenezer Rich, of Sutton, and Isaac 
Stone, of Ward (now Auburn), were chosen a select committee 
for the society, with power to grant certificates of member¬ 
ship, in the absence of a settled pastor. The society, thus 
organized, then voted to adopt the “ Charter Compact” 
(society constitution) which had previously been obtained 
from the Universalist Society in Gloucester, Massachusetts; 
they also voted to denominate themselves the “ Second 
Religious Society in Oxford,” and the “ Third Independent 
Religious Society in the Commonwealth called Universalist.” 

The first Universalist Society in Massachusetts was formed 
in Gloucester in 1780, and the second in Boston, about two 
years subsequent. 

Elder Adam Streeter, who had been their religious teacher 
prior to the organization of the society, still continued to labor 
with them till the event of his death, which took place, 
September 3, 1786. 

He was regarded as a truly religious and devoted man, and 
an able defender of the faith he professed. To the Univer¬ 
salist Society in Oxford we trace the origin of the ecclesiastical 
body formerly known as the “ General Convention of Univer- 
salists of the New England States,” and others, but now called 
“ The United States Convention of Universalists.” 

On the 27th day of August, 1785, the society held a meet¬ 
ing, and voted to issue a call for an association of Universalist 
clergymen, and other persons of like faith, to be holden in 
Oxford, on the llth day of September next, at 9 o’clock, a. m. 


OXFORD. 


223 


On the day appointed for the holding of said association, 
the Rev. Elhanan Winchester, of Philadelphia, was chosen 
moderator, and Dr. Daniel Fiske, of Oxford, clerk. 

Then followed the further business necessary to the organi¬ 
zation of the General Convention already named. This con¬ 
vention met in Oxford again, by special invitation of the 
society, in the years 1791, 1793, and 1794, and has not met 
here since. 

It now meets only in the principal cities of the United 
States. The society in Oxford, annually, for a number of 
years, chose delegates to attend the meetings of the General 
Convention. 

Immediately after the death of the Rev. Mr. Streeter, a 
meeting of the society was called by order of a select com¬ 
mittee, and, after choosing Dr. Daniel Fiske, moderator, it was : 

Voted: “To direct the select committee, as soon as may be, to procure 
for this society a public teacher, whose instructions we can conscien¬ 
tiously attend.” 

Voted: “That the remainder of the present year’s subscription be ap¬ 
propriated to the use and support of Mrs. Streeter, widow of Rev. Mr. 
Streeter.” 

This meeting was holden, November 3; but the records fail 
to inform us who supplied the pulpit from that date to May 1, 
1788, at which time the services of Rev. Elder Elkany Ingals, 
of Grafton, were secured. 

April 19, 1789, Mr. Ingals was succeeded by Rev. Thomas 
Barnes, who appears to have remained pastor of the society 
till some time in the year 1793. Mr. Barnes was very highly 
esteemed in Oxford, both for his preaching talent and for his 
works’ sake. Diming the ministry of Mr. Barnes the society 
was induced to erect a house of worship. 

At a meeting, holden, September 4, 1791, it was voted to 
build a house forthwith. Samuel Davis, Captain Jonathan 
Davis, and John Mayo, were appointed a building committee. 
The house was built principally by subscription, each sub- 


224 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


scriber giving his promissory note to the building committee, 
and the committee giving bonds to appropriate the money for 
the purpose for which it was subscribed. ' A small portion ot 
the money was raised from the property possessed by the town 
for parochial purposes. The house was to be forty-six by 
forty-three feet dimensions, with a porch and tower in front, 
and of the Tuscan order of architecture. The building of the 
house was disposed of at auction to the lowest bidder, and 
was struck off to Captain Levi Davis, of Charlton, at £271, 
though including oidy the outside. 

Soon after the erection of the house, a bell, weighing 713 
pounds, was obtained, at a cost of £71 6s. 

In 1793 the society voted to finish the inside of the house, 
the work to be disposed of to the lowest bidder, at auction. 
Mr. Simon Hathaway, of Sutton, secured the work at £237. 
During the year 1793 the society had preaching but one 
Sabbath in each month, and that by some preacher from 
abroad, not named in the records. In 1794 the society voted 
to engage the services of Elder Michael Coffin, of Hew York, 
for one half of the time. 

Mr. Coffin’s ministry with the society continued three years. 

We do not learn from the records that the society had any 
minister with them, or any public religious meetings, from 
1797 to April 1, 1801, from which time the Rev. Hosea 
Ballou and Rev. Edward Turner supplied the pulpit for four 
or five years. Some of the older members of the society, 
now living, inform us that the Rev. Jacob Wood was pastor 
for two years about this time, or not far from 1810; but the 
records give no account of his ministry. 

From 1805 to 1811 the records of the society are very 
deficient, and more than indicate that the members of it were 
inactive. Hot far from the last-given date many of the mem¬ 
bers belonging to the adjacent towns withdrew from the 
society, and but a small amount of money was annually 


OXFORD. 


225 


raised, wliich appears to have been expended for occasional 
preaching, and for repairs of the meeting-house. 

At the early date of 1788 the society numbered about 
130 members, forty-four of whom belonged in Oxford, twenty- 
nine in Charlton, sixteen in Sutton, fifteen in Thompson, 
fourteen in Woodstock, Connecticut; nine in Ward, and 
three in Sturbridge. The society generally chose three mem¬ 
bers, residents of Oxford, and one from each of the other towns, 
for a select committee. In the year last referred to, 1788, 
each member of the society subscribed for the support of the 
ministry, varying each from one shilling to one pound. This 
practice prevailed for some twenty years, or more, from the 
origin of the society. 

We may suppose that those persons in the several towns 
in the vicinity of Oxford, who became members of this 
society, did so to avoid being taxed by the territorial parish 
in their respective towns for the support of a religion in 
which they had no faith, and felt no interest. Hence, when, 
at a later date, independent societies sprung up in their sev¬ 
eral towns, they withdrew from the Oxford society. 

In 1811 and 1812 Rev. John Nichols preached one Sab¬ 
bath in each month. Mr. Nichols was succeeded by the Rev. 
Richard Carrique in December, 1813. 

Mr. Carrique preached a portion of the time for two years 
—perhaps for a longer period. 

At a society meeting, holden, May 12,1817, it was voted: 
“ That General Jonathan Davis have the old subscriptions on 
the papers in Oxford, for the years 1815 and 1816, and clear 
the society from debt to this date.” At the same meeting the 
society voted to u build a spire on their house of worship ; 
and voted to “ let the work of building the spire, making the 
bell-frame, and hanging the bell, to Rufus Moore, at the price 
of three hundred and forty dollars.” 

In September, 1818, the society voted the Congregational 


226 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


Society the use of their meeting-house one Sabbath in each 
month for one year, beginning the third Sabbath in Novem¬ 
ber. The same year the society voted to raise the amount 
of $550, by a tax on the pews, to defray the expenses of 
repairs on the meeting-house. A large share of the pews 
were sold at auction to pay the tax on them, and the society 
came near losing the control of the house by means of a 
change of the pew-holders. 

From the year 1818 the society seems to have been in a 
very confused state for a number of years. The Rev. Joshua 
Flagg preached for them occasionally. The Rev. John Bis- 
bee supplied the pulpit occasionally about this time ; but the 
society was in a feeble state most of the time from 1818 to 
1828. 

In February, 1828, the society invited the Rev. Lyman 
Maynard to become their pastor ; and, for two years or more, 
they seemed to prosper. A church of between twenty and 
thirty members was gathered under his labors. Soon after 
this some of the influential members of the society became 
dissatisfied with him; and, by their persevering opposition, 
in 1832, procured his dismission. The Rev. Seth Chandler 
succeeded Mr. Maynard in 1832, and was dismissed, July, 
1834. 

In 1835 the Rev. John Boy den preached occasionally. In 
the same year the society voted to let their meeting-house to 
any other denomination, when not used by themselves; and 
the Methodist Society occupied it for a limited period. 

In 1839 and 1840 the Rev. Gilman Noyes preached for 
the society a portion of the time. March 27, 1841, Rev. 
Alvin Abbott, of Sutton, was invited to preach for the society 
one half of the time. Mr. Abbott was succeeded in the spring 
of 1844 by Rev. Alfred Barnes. 

During the ministry of Mr. Barnes, the old meeting-house 
was renovated and made into a neat and pleasant chapel, in 


OXFORD. 


227 


modern style, with a basement for mechanical and mercantile 
purposes. It was rededicated in May, 1846, and Mr.'Barnes 
resigned his charge of the society the following week. 

The society then invited the Rev. R. M. Byram to become 
their pastor ; he remained with them about two years. The 
meeting-house having been owned by proprietors and pew- 
holders from 1845, the time it was remodeled and put into 
its present form, at a meeting of the society, December 21, 
1848, it was voted to choose a committee of three, to draft an 
article for the purpose of purchasing the chapel of the pro¬ 
prietors and pew-holders, to be the free property of the society. 
Jacob Baker, Erastus Ormsbee, and John Barnes were chosen 
said committee, and the chapel was immediately purchased, 
and remains the free property of the society. 

At a meeting held on February 10, 1849, the society voted 
to choose a committee to lease the basement-story and cellar 
of this house during its continuance; this committee was 
Israel Sibley, John Barnes* and Samuel Mayo. 

On the 21st of April, 1849, the society, in consideration 
of the sum of $1,600, to them paid by Erastus Ormsbee, 
Israel Sibley, and Nathaniel H. Rowland, voted to ratify the 
lease conveying the basement and cellar of the house to those 
gentlemen, as aforesaid, which lease still continues. 

In April, 1849, the society engaged the Rev. Jacob Baker, 
of Dudley, to supply the pulpit. Mr. Baker continued to 
supply for three years. The society paid off their debts, and 
prospered well under his ministry. 

In 1852 Rev. Albert Tyler became pastor of the society, 
and, in April, 1854, Mr. Tyler was succeeded by the Rev. H. 
Closson, who resigned his charge of the society in December, 
1855. In 1856 and 1857 the pulpit was supplied during the 
warm season of each year by the Rev. O. H. Tillotsoji, of 
Worcester. 

In March, 1858, Rev. George Proctor, the present pastor, 


228 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


was invited to take charge of the society. The society has 
not been large for many years. At the present time it is 
small, but united, free of debt, and comparatively prosperous. 

The author of this brief history of the Universalist Society 
of Oxford closes with the following : 

“ The foregoing historical sketch of the Universalist Society in Oxford 
the undersigned believes to give a brief account of all the facts of its 
entire existence, of special interest to the public. 

‘ ‘ Signed, 

“GEORGE PROCTOR.” 

BAPTIST SOCIETY. 

A number of persons, whose names are here given, met, by 
previous appointment, on the 29t,h of March, 1837, to organ¬ 
ize a “Baptist Society,” in that part of this town called North 
Oxford, at which time a constitution was adopted. 

NAMES 

Jennison Barton, 

William Copp, 

David Hull, 

Robert Fittz, 

Maverick Jennison, 

David Stone, 

David Holman, 

James Boomer, 

Ebenezer Cook, 

Fenner S. Hopkins, 

Flavel Leach, 

Jonathan Flagg, 

William Brown, 

In order to make their meetings legal, they applied to a 
justice of the peace to issue a warrant, directing the clerk of 
the society to put up, in public places, notice of the proposed 
meeting. On May 1,1837, at a meeting legally called, those 
members who had, by unanimous vote, been dismissed from 
the Baptist church, in Auburn, met for the purpose of form- 


Amasa Eddy, 

Smith Bruce, 
Elbridge Warren, 
Waterman Warren, 
Ebenezer Newton, 
Amos P. Newton, 
William Dalrimple, 
Martin Boomer, 
Warren Bruce, 
David Jennison, 
Andrew J. Copp, 
Samuel Warren. 


OXFORD. 


229 


mg themselves into a new church. Chose Josiali Godard, 
moderator ; William Copp, clerk of the meeting. 

Voted: “To adopt, as the articles of their faith, practice, and covenant, 
those which are used in the Worcester Baptist Association.” 

Chose Jennison Barton and William Copp, deacons. 

Voted: “To call a council to recognize them as a Baptist church.” 

Voted: 1 ‘ That the council be requested to meet at the Baptist meeting¬ 
house in N. Oxford, on Wednesday, May 10th inst., and that Josiah 
Godard, Jennison Barton, and William Copp be a committee to meet with 
the council and receive the hand of church fellowship, in behalf of the 
new church.” 

The council met at the time appointed, when the following 
persons were present, viz.: Rev. Jonathan Aldrich and Luther 
Godard, of Worcester; Rev. John Green, of Leicester; Rev. 
Charles H. Peabody and Deacon John Titus, of 1st church, Sut¬ 
ton; Rev. Job B. Boomer, 2d church, Sutton ; also, brethren 
Harvey Fittz and John Paine. 

The meeting was organized by the choice of Rev. Luther 
Godard, moderator, and Rev. John Green, clerk. Prayer 
was offered by the Rev. Job B. Boomer. 

The ecclesiastical council voted unanimously to recognize 
those of this new organization an independent church by the 
name of the “ North Oxford Baptist Church.” 

The council appointed Rev. Job B. Boomer to commend 
this new church to the Great Head of the church, by a con¬ 
secrating prayer. 

Rev. Harvey Fittz was appointed to address the church, 
and extend the hand of fellowship. 

The following are the names of those who united to form 
this church, most of whom were former members of the Bap¬ 
tist church in Auburn: 


Deacon Jennison Barton, Josiah G. Warren, 
“ William Copp, Selah Barton, 
Amasa Eddy, Celinda Copp, 

David Hull, Elizabeth Leach, 

Robert Fittz, Damaris Eddy, 


Georgiana Barton, 
Sally Warren, 
Elizabeth Newton, 
Relief Neushaw, 
Lucy Fittz, 


■4r 


230 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


David Stone, 

Flavel Leach, 
Samuel Warren* 
Maverick Jennison, 
Amos P. Newton, 
Warren Bruce, 
William Dalrimple, 


Almira Hall, Sophia A. Adams, 

Abigail Cudworth, Selah Barton, 
Eleanor L. N. Howe, Betsey Barton, 
Mariah Brown, Julia Ann Bruce, 

Eluthier Hopkins, Katherine Bruce, 
Mary Ann Streeter, Julia Leach, 
Elvira Leach, Dialther Lamb. 

Thirty-six members. 


A committee was now chosen to make arrangements for the 
dedication of their new meeting-house. 

The meeting was now adjourned to one o’clock, p. m., to the 
meeting-house, for the services of dedication; at which time 
the house was dedicated in presence of a numerous audience, 
when the council was dissolved. 

The house was built in 1836-’37 ; its dimensions are forty 
by fifty-two feet; it has a gallery for the choir, and a steeple 
and bell. It has fifty four pews, and will seat between three 
and four hundred. Warmed by a furnace. It has a vestry 
beneath the church. 

The meeting-house was built by subscription, and deeded to 
the deacons of the church and their successors, in trust, for 
the religious worship of the society forever. 

March 13, 1838, this church gave a unanimous call to the 
Rev. A. Smith Lyon to become their pastor. 

This call was accepted by Mr. Lyon, and he entered at once 
upon his labors here. 

Soon after the settlement of Mr. Lyon with this church his 
labors were highly blessed. Nearly forty persons were hope¬ 
fully converted. 

f March 28, 1847, after a pastorate of about nine years, Rev. 
A. S. Lyon, having been called to another field of labor, at his 
request, the church granted him a dismission. 

This church, on the 3d of June, 1847, gave a call to 
Rev. Solomon Gale. This having been accepted by him, Mr. 
Gale entered upon his pastorate forthwith. Another revival 


OXFORD. 


231 


occurred with the people of this church in January, 1848, 
and it was blessed with other converts. 

Mr. Gale closed his pastorate here in June following. 

The Rev. J. N. Hobart now supplied preaching here occa¬ 
sionally, when, on the 23d of December, 1848, the church 
gave him an invitation to become their pastor j which invita¬ 
tion being by Mr. Hobart accepted, he now commenced his 
pastorate. 

On March 2, 1850, the church adopted the following strin¬ 
gent resolution, to wit: 

“ That no person who uses ardent spirits as a beverage, shall here¬ 
after be admitted to membership with this church.” 

April 25, 1852, by his own request, Mr. Hobart received a 
dismission, to become pastor of the Baptist church in Bristol, 
Rhode Island. 

The Rev. Joseph Hodges was called to the pastorate, June 
3, 1852, and accepted. Mr. Hodges labored with this people 
acceptably for three years, and was dismissed on March 3, 
1855. 

On June 30, 1855, the Rev. J. E. Wood was called, and 
acceptedhe continued his pastorate to May 24, 1857, when 
his labors closed here. Rev. A. Joy now preached to this 
people about six months acceptably. 

In March, 1857, a call was given to Rev. C. M. Herring. 
He accepted the pastorate, and began his services on the 
second Sabbath in May following. Mr. Herring was much 
appreciated ; his services closed here in October, 1859. 

November, 1859, the church gave a unanimous call to Rev. 
Holmes Chipman, of Machias, Maine, to become their pastor; 
he accepted the call in December following, and entered upon 
the duties of his charge. At this date the members of this 
church were 121 in number. 

The following remarks are, by Mr. Chipman, added to the 
foregoing: 


232 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


“ It is due to all the previous pastors of this church to say they labored 
faithfully in their calling. 

Signed, H. C.” 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The first sermon preached by a minister of the Methodist 
denomination here, was by Rev. Joseph Ellis, in the Univer- 
salist meeting-house, in the winter of 1835. 

Other sermons were delivered by ministers from neighbor¬ 
ing towns; but there was no regular preaching until after the 
session of the New England Conference, held the same' year, 
when the Rev. Benjamin Paine commenced preaching in the 
Universalist meeting-house, which he was permitted to occupy 
for one year by a vote of the society. 

On the 15th of September he had formed a class of twenty 
members, which increased in numbers so that at the next an¬ 
nual meeting of the New England Conference he reported, 
in full connection and on probation, eighty-one members. 

At the Conference of 1836 Rev. Benjamin Paine was 
re-appointed, and it became a regular appointment, called 
“ Oxford Station.” By permission of the Universalist Society 
he continued to preach in their house. 

At the Conference of 1837 Rev. Thomas W. Tucker was 
appointed pastor, and was re-appointed at the Conference of 
1838. 

At the Conference of 1839 Rev. Luman Boy den was ap¬ 
pointed pastor. 

At the Conference of 1840 Rev. Win. E. Stone succeeded 
Mr. Boyden as pastor in charge; during this year a church 
edifice was erected at a cost of $1,400. In the year 1841 
Rev. Freeman Nutting was pastor; this year the new house 
was dedicated, and the society enjoyed spiritual prosperity. 

At the Conference of 1842 Rev. Horace Moulton was 
preacher in charge. In the spring of 1843 the house was 
enlarged by the munificence of Jonathan Sibley, Esq. 


OXFORD. 


233 


At the Conference of 1843, no pastor being appointed, the 
society was supplied with preaching by the Rev. Charles C. 

Burr. 

Since whicn time the pulpit has been supplied by ministers 
appointed at the annual meetings of the New England Con¬ 
ference : 


1844, - 

Newell S. Spalding. 

1845, - - 

Charles W. Ainsworth. 

1846-’47, - 

Rev. Amos Walton. 

1850, ----- 

u 

Damon Y. Kilgore. 

1851,. 

u 

C. L. McCurdy. 

1852, ----- 

u 

Mosely Dwight. 

1853-54,- - 

u 

Wm. A. Braman. 

1855-’56, - 

u 

Burtis Judd. 

1857, ----- 

u 

Wm. Gordon. 

1858-’59, - - - 

(( 

Daniel Wait. 

1, 1860, the church membership was as follows: 

In full connection, 

- 

- 127 

On probation, - 

- 

5 



132 


PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

On the second Sunday after Trinity, July 19, 1863, services 
were commenced in Sanford Hall, Oxford, with a view to the 
establishing, in this town, a parish of the Protestant Episco¬ 
pal church. Different clergymen officiated from Sunday to 
Sunday, until the Rev. William F. Lloyd, of the diocese of 
Ohio, took charge of the enterprise on the 26th of October, 
being the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1863. 

On Tuesday, May 10, 1864, the parish was organized. On 
Tuesday morning, September 20, 1864, the corner-stone of 
the church edifice was laid by the Right Rev. Manton East- 
burn, D. D., the bishop of the diocese of Massachusetts. 

The address was delivered by the Rev. Francis Wheaton 
(since D. D. and LL. D.), rector of St. Paul’s church, Brook¬ 
line, Massachusetts, which was followed 15y a few words of 
16 


234 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


congratulation by the bishop. Several of the clergy of the 
diocese were present; there was also a numerous assemblage of 
the inhabitants of the town, and of church people of other places. 

On Wednesday afternoon, May 11, 1865, the parish having 
been organized for the space of one year, and, during that 
time held regular pulpit services, and having acceded to 
the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal 
church in the diocese of Massachusetts, was admitted into 
union with the convention of the same at its seventy-fifth 
annual session. 

On Thursday, November 16, the church edifice was Conse¬ 
crated to the service and worship of Almighty God, the 
Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, by the Right Rev. Manton 
Eastburn, D. D., bishop of the diocese of Massachusetts, 
many of the clergy of the diocese taking part in the services. 

There was present, on this occasion, a large congregation 
from the town, and also from the neighborhood. On Mon¬ 
day, May 6, 1867, the Rev. William F. Lloyd resigned the 
rectorship of the parish, which resignation took effect on 
Monday, July 1, 1867. On the eighteenth Sunday after 
Trinity, October 20, 1867, the Rev. William Henry Brooks, 
D. H., began to officiate in the parish, and continues his 
labors here. 

The church edifice, which is a very beautiful stone struc¬ 
ture, in the Gothic style of architecture, cost, including the 
furniture, about $1,800. The building and the ground upon 
which it is erected were fully paid for, and were free from 
lien or other encumbrance when the church was presented for 
consecration; had it been otherwise, the edifice could not 
have been consecrated, as the usage of the Protestant Episco¬ 
pal church forbids the consecration of a church or chapel on 
which there is an encumbrance.* 


* The foregoing brief history of Grace church, Oxford, was received by letter from the 
pastor, Rev. William Henry Brooks, D. D., July 24, 1868. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 


CHAPTER V. 

TIME has deprived those of the present age of much of the 
materials relating to the early ministers of this town. 
That which remains is largely traditional, particularly that 
which refers to the first minister, the Rev. John Campbell. 

He was a native of the north ot Scotland, born in the year 
1690. He received his education at the university of Edin¬ 
burgh, and, as reported, was a fellow-student there with Lord 
Loudon, and an intimate friend.* 

The precise time when, and the circumstances which in¬ 
duced Mr. Campbell to come to New England, do not appear 
in any written evidence. 

He, like most of the early Puritan ministers of these col¬ 
onies, was highly educated, and, though unpretending, was 
a person of more than ordinary ability, possessing a sound and 
discriminating mind, firm and steadfast in his convictions of 
truth, yet amiable in heart and manner. 

He, as it appears by tradition, filled, besides his duties as 

* Lord Loudon was John Campbell, fourth Earl of Loudon, Baron Manchlane, one of 
the sixteen peers of Scotland, born in the year 1705, and succeeded to the title on the 
death of his father, Hugh Campbell, the third earl, November, 1731. 

This Lord Loudon, having served in various offices in the military line in Scotland, 
previous to the year 1755, was appointed colonel of the 60th, or Royal American regiment, 
the 25th of December of that year, which was to be raised in Virginia, over which prov¬ 
ince he was appointed governor in February, 1756, when, also, he became commander-in- 
chief of all his majesty’s forces in North America. 

He sailed for America in May following, and arrived in July, 1756. It is inferred, from 
circumstances to be hereafter given, that the Rev. Mr. Campbell and Lord Loudon 
were relatives. 






236 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT. 


pastor, gratuitously, that of physician among his people. He, 
in many respects, was clergyman, physician, and judge. 

His practical good sense, and known integrity, caused him 
to be sought after by his townsmen for deciding matters of 
dispute and controversy between them; and his decisions 
were acquiesced in as a finality, and generally proved satis¬ 
factory to the parties concerned. 

Among the many instances of this judicial character tradi- 
dition gives the following : 

Two of his neighbors, A and B, who lived on the west side 
of French river, had fallen into a dispute arising from some 
petty trespass of cattle. The matter no sooner came to the 
knowledge of Mr. Campbell, than he appointed the day and 
the hour when he would come over, hear, and decide the case. 
The matter was examined, and judgment was given, that, as 
Mr. A was chiefly in fault, he should pay to Mr. B a certain 
sum in compensation, and that henceforth they should live in 
charity. 

During the session, which extended into the evening, a vio¬ 
lent shower had fallen, and the foot-bridge, over which Mr. 
Campbell had passed, was carried away. As it was dark, the 
two reconciled neighbors accompanied their minister to the 
river, and, finding the bridge gone, it was mutually agreed 
that Mr. A, who was a muscular man, should take the minis¬ 
ter on his back. 

Mr. A cheerfully assumed his charge, and had reached the 
middle of the foaming stream, when, by unwittingly stepping 
upon a rolling stone, he was compelled to deposit his burden 
in the river. After floundering for a time in the water, they 
arrived safely at the opposite shore. Mr. Campbell thanked 
his neighbor for his well-meant service, and reached home 
safe and sound, minus his hat and wig, which the current 
had borne away. 

Some days afterwards a report came to the ear of the pas- 


OXFORD. 


237 


tor, that Mr. B had accused A of an intention to throw the 
minister into the river, because he had decided the case 
against him. Whereupon, Mr. Campbell reproved Mr. B 
most severely for cherishing, and, much more, for giving ut¬ 
terance to such an ungenerous thought, assuring him of his 
tears that he was destitute of that charity that thinketh no 
evil. 

The only production of Mr. Campbell’s pen that has come 
down to us is a 12mo volume of 300 pages, printed at Boston 
in 1743, u dedicated to my well-beloved congregation, and 
much desired in our Lord Jesus Christ.” The following is 
from the title-page : 

“A Treatise on Conversion, Truth, and Justification, &c.; being Ex¬ 
tracts from Sundry Discourses delivered at Oxford, in the latter end of 
the year 1741 and beginning of 1742. 

“By John Campbell, Y. D. M., Pastor of the Church there, and now 
published at the desire of his constant hearers and others.” 

The following is an extract from the dedication : 

“ Dearly Beloved—Whatever treatment this work may meet with from 
the wicked enemies of these divine truths, never to be slighted nor re¬ 
jected, as the whole venture is immediately for your sakes, you are more 
especially obliged to answer the ends of it. You may, perhaps, show 
some candor and regard to me: but this is not enough for yourselves. 
If you go no further than a commendation of what you read in this or 
any other treatise of sacred things, and take no care to have them fixed 
in your hearts, and reduced into practice, our Gospel is naught, and you 
are lost. But, beloved, I am persuaded better things of you, and things 
that accompany salvation, though I thus speak. 

“ The following work is offered to the world with all due deference 
and respect to the many excellent performances of this kind we are 
already blessed with, done by far better hands than mine. 

“ The things are not new, and by me first discovered, as if no man’s 
writings could afford them for your use but mine. 

“No, blessed be God, these are subjects profitably taught by divers 
others; but every book cometh not to each man’s hand; and, as in 
meats, the different kinds of dressing keep the appetite—the same meat 
prepared one way may content the stomach, which, in some other fashion, 
would not please; so, in books, the very self-same subject may better 


238 ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 

satisfy in one special way of handling it than another. If anything of 
reading occur in the following sheets, I very willingly embrace this 
opportunity to present my humble thanks to our generous benefactors, 
who have made a collection of books for the use of the incumbent min¬ 
ister of this parish, which were of great help to me in composing this 
work. It is to be wished that other good gentlemen would follow their 
good example, in making a collection of this kind, for other poor 
parishes.” 

The following foot-note will explain the above allusion: 

“The Honorable Judge Paul Dudley devised this liberal thing, and 
sedulously promoted it among gentlemen. The donors’ names are in a 
catalogue of books, in perpetuam doni memoriam; I hope their names 
will be in everlasting remembrance with the Lord.” 

The treatise seems to have been written by Mr. Campbell 
more especially to guard his people against the acts of those 
denominated “ New Lights.” It evinces much and careful 
reading, and is thoroughly evangelical. 

The sermon preached at the funeral of Mr. Campbell was 
in the hands of the late Dr. Bardwell. It was delivered by 
Rev. William Phips, A. M., pastor of the church in Douglas. 
(Mr. Phips afterwards became a citizen of Oxford, and died 
here. Some of his descendants are now in Auburn.) The 
text is Samuel u, 13. The following is an extract from the 
sermon : 

“It is unsuitable, for various reasons, that I should undertake to give 
particular and exact account of his life and ministry, but duty and grat¬ 
itude (to God and his memory) calls me, I conceive, to say something 
concerning what he was; of his extraordinary endowments, and of the 
extraordinary diligence and integrity with which he appeared to improve 
them while he was with us. He was born in the north of Scotland, in 
the year 1690, according to his own account; had a liberal education, 
and the honors of the university of Edinburgh; came to New England, 
it is said, in the year 1717, and was ordained pastor of the church in 
this place, March 11, 1721, which office he discharged among you (breth¬ 
ren) with great industry and fidelity, more than forty years, but is now 
no longer suffered to continue, by reason of death. He was esteemed 
one of penetrating and discerning understanding, of a peculiarly saga¬ 
cious and enterprising genius, and of a very retentive memory, as furnished 


OXFORD. 


239 


with embellishing arguments, and more especially for his acquaintance 
with the affairs of history and State policy. 

“It was thought by some that were likely to know, that few gentlemen 
of his opportunity could excel him, as also for laying out the economy 
and inspecting the affairs of his family, and necessary secular concern¬ 
ments, with dispatch and prudence, and so as to consist with a diligent 
application to the duties of the ministerial office. 

‘ ‘ Where was the man that could order and manage well so much 
business in so little time as he could? 

“Touching his doctrines, they were strictly of the Puritan scheme. 
He was a real and steady, but very candid, Calvinist. In common con¬ 
versation he was peculiarly free and pleasant, but not vain. 

“He was extraordinarily cautious and friendly to his acquaintance, 
and to all men, so far as opportunity occurred; and that he was specially 
so towards and among you, brethren, his own people, how many of you 
are the grateful and ready witnesses. You know he became your pastor 
when it was the day of small things with you, and that then and ever 
since he manifested no small love to you and concern for you. 

‘ £ When did you ever find him unwilling to serve and promote your 
true interests, whenever the door of opportunity opened ? Has he not 
kindly ministered to your bodies in distress, as well as to your souls ? 
And when was the day, when was the night, what was the weather, 
what were the storms, or what the way, which hindered him from being 
quickly with you in your distress, when his strength and health allowed 
it ? Yea, beyond it, of late. Has he not borne too hard upon his own 
firm constitution in his labors among you, and was he not willing, every 
way, as we may say, both to spend and be spent for you ? Surely you 
will own (many of you, especially) that he has been a father to you in 
civil kindness, as well as in his ecclesiastical ministry. His heart has 
been with you; and he could, I believe as sincerely as most, say with 
the Apostle, that ye were in his heart, to live and to die with you. He 
also has been a peace-maker and peace-seeker among you—remarkably so; 
and, moreover, abroad in the land, and has been abundantly improved 
and blessed as a healer of difficulties and divisions in various parts of the 
country, for which, also, God had given him an extraordinary talent. 

“ Such a minister, and such a friend, brethren, you and we have lost, 
for such was Mr. Campbell. He has gone, and we shall see him no more. 
And is it a small loss ? But own it great; yet, perhaps, it may seem 
greater; you may but begin to feel it. Surely, I conceive God has made 
a wide breach upon the churches in this vicinity, but more immediately 
upon the church and town of Oxford. Oxford! what thing shall I take 
to witness of thee ? What thing shall I liken to thee ? or what shall I 
equal to thee, that I may comfort thee ? For the breach is great, like 
the sea; who can heal thee ?” 


240 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


The following obituary notice of the death of Rev. John 
Campbell appeared in the Boston News Letter, in Number 
2971, soon after his decease: 

“Oxford, May 28th, 1761. 

“On the 25th instant, died here, Rev. John Campbell, in the 71st 
year of his age, a gentleman generally beloved and esteemed. He came 
over to New England in 1717, was ordained pastor of the church here, 
Anno, 1721, where, with great wisdom and fidelity, he continued to dis¬ 
charge the several parts of his office for more than forty years. In his 
preaching he was strictly orthodox, much improved in ecclesiastical 
councils, and happy in the peace and harmony of the church here. 

“In his last sickness he sustained the prospect of approaching death 
with great serenity, as knowing Him in whom he had believed. His 
remains were decently interred yesterday; the funeral was attended, not 
only by the people of this town, but by great numbers from adjoining 
towns, and, in following the remains to the grave, formed an unusually 
long procession. 

“ He has left a sorrowful widow, four sons, and two daughters. His 
death is a general loss; but especially so to the town, who well may be 
supposed to tremble when such a pillar fell. Zach. i, 5.” “Your 
fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live forever ?” 

The Rev. John Campbell married Miss Esther Fairchild, of 
Boston, who died at Oxford in 1777. It appears their bodies 
were deposited in a tomb, which has been preserved with 
great care by their descendants. 


THEIR CHILDREN. 


Mary, 

born Feb. 11, 

1723, 

married Jacob Town. 

John, 

u 

“ 7, 

1724, 


Isabella, 

u 

Mar. 27, 

1726, 

died March 21, 1728. 

Duncan, 

u 

“ 27, 

1727, 

j married Elizabeth Stearns, of Worces- 
( ter, daughter of Thomas Stearns. 

Isabella, 

< t 

July, 26, 

1728, 

married Josiah Wolcott, of Salem, 

Elizabeth, 

u 

Aug. 14, 

1730, 

died July 12, 1732. 

Alexander. 

u 

1 

Feb. 12, 

1732, 

j married Lydia Stearns, of Worcester, 

( daughter of Thomas Stearns. 

William, 

i l 

April, 2, 

1734, 


Archibald 

u 

Aug. 6, 

1736. 

* 


In further illustration of the family of the first minister, it 
is known that his son, Alexander, was the first physician in 


OXFORD. 


241 


Oxford, and died there ; but two of his sons, both physicians, 
settled in Vermont, and, as understood, one at Putney, and 
the other at Rockingham. 

From Mary Campbell, the eldest daughter, who married 
Jacob Town, is descended the late General Salem Town and 
his father, of Charlton. From John Campbell, the eldest son, 
are the Campbells of Otsego county, New York. From 
Duncan Campbell are descended Captain Stearns and Colonel 
Alexander De Witt, of Oxford, and also the late Archibald 
Campbell and the family of Campbells, of that town. Isa¬ 
bella, who married Josiah Wolcott, of Salem, but who became 
a resident of Oxford, raised up a numerous family, as will be 
given hereafter in this chapter. Alexander and Duncan both 
married daughters of Thomas Stearns, of Worcester, and 
resided in Oxford. William, who was afterwards captain, 
removed to Vermont; his daughter, Sarah, married a son of 
Dr. Shaw, of Castleton, and was the mother of the Hon. 
Henry Shaw, of Lanesborough, and she, now, a widow, resides 
in Poughkeepsie, New York. Archibald Campbell was a 
clergyman, and, for a time, minister at Charlton ; removed 
to Vermont. Whether he had children or not, it has not 
been ascertained. 

It is supposed by some of the descendants of the Rev. John 
Campbell, the first minister of Oxford, that for some reasons 
never made known by him, that their ancestor came to 
America to avoid either persecution for his religious opinions, 
or proscription for some political offense ; and this sentiment 
was shared likewise by many of his townsmen. 

That he was regarded as the friend of Lord Loudon, it is 
related that his lordship, when Governor ot Virginia, in pass¬ 
ing from that province to Poston, in discharge of his military 
duties, and being aware of the place of Mr. Campbell’s resi¬ 
dence, advised him of his design to make him a visit. 

When Mr. Campbell’s people were informed of his lord- 


242 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


ship’s intentions, their fears were greatly excited lest there 
was some purpose inimical to the welfare of their pastor, in 
connection with the events of his early life, or reasons which 
brought him to this country; but their minister assured them 
that the visit was simply the result of early acquaintance and 
friendship. 

It was arranged that for the entertainment of his lordship 
while at Oxford, he should be the guest of Mr. Wolcott, his 
son-in-law, who, by his wealth and more aristocratic style of 
living, could better provide for him. 

Mr. Wolcott’s house was in close view, across the street 
from Mr. Campbell’s. 

Soon after the arrival of Loudon, with a single attendant, 
at the Wolcott house, Mr. Campbell left his more humble 
habitation, in full dress', his wig carefully arranged, to welcome 
his friend. Loudon saw him, and at once advanced to meet 
him. The little stone bridge, about equidistant from the 
two houses, was the spot where they met and embraced. They 
returned to the Wolcott house, and supped and passed the 
night together, uninterrupted by any other presence. 

In the morning they separated; the one to prosecute his 
civil and military duties, the other the more humble labors 
of his pastorate. Mr. Campbell’s people were now convinced 
that their pastor was not deceived in his impressions that Lord 
Loudon owed him no ill-will.* Yet still, whatever of mys¬ 
tery that pertained to Mr. Campbell’s exiling himself to this 
small interior town, then in the wilderness of Hew Eng¬ 
land, was not made known. The probabilities are, that 
the impelling motive was his non-conformity to the Eng¬ 
lish church, and perhaps displacement from a living, and 

* Lord Loudon was advanced to the position of a lieutenant-general in January, 1758, 
and recalled to England, which gave general satisfaction in the colonies. In 1763 he was 
appointed Governor of Edinburgh Castle, and on the 30th of April, 1770, became colonel of 
the Third regiment of Scotch Guards, and general in the army. He died, unmarried, at 
Loudon Castle, Ayreshire, on the 27th of April, 1682, aged eighty-seven. 



OXFORD. 


243 


thus preferred exile rather than change from his strict Puri¬ 
tan faith. 

Rev. Joseph Bowman, the second pastor of this church, 
was ordained at Boston, in 1762, as a missionary. His field 
of labor was among the Mohawk Indians on the western 
frontiers. He afterwards went to the Indians on the borders 
of the Susquehanna river. Hostile commotions among the 
Indians interrupted his labors. He returned to Hew England, 
was discharged from the service of the Board of Commission¬ 
ers, in Boston, in 1764, and in November of the same year 
was installed in Oxford. 

Mr. Bowman lived in harmony among this people till 1775, 
when, from the troubled state of the country, the poverty of 
the town, and a diversity of religious opinions among his 
people, he was, at his own request, discharged in 1782. Two 
years afterwards he was installed in Bernard, Yermont, where 
for many years he enjoyed the confidence and support of his 
people. 

Rev. Elias Dudley, the third pastor of the church, was a 
native of Saybrook, Connecticut. He graduated at Dart¬ 
mouth in 1788, and was ordained in Oxford in 1791. 

In consequence of feeble health, he was dismissed, at his 
own request, in 1799. 

The same year he removed to Hewburyport, where he went 
into business. While here he took several short voyages in a 
fishing-vessel to Labrador for the benefit of his health. 

In 1805 he removed to Prospect, Maine, where he died of 
consumption, aged forty-five years. 

Mr. Dudley is spoken of in Blake’s “ Biographical Sketch,” 
as a man of excellent character, and a faithful and efficient 
preacher of the Gospel. 

He was much interested in education and the moral culture 
of youth, and acted as a private instructor to many of the 
young who frequented his house. His talents as a teacher 


244 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


are still spoken of by his surviving pupils with high commen¬ 
dation. He was of a melancholic temperament. He suffered 
much under an impression that he was unfaithful and deficient 
in his duties as pastor and teacher of his flock. This impres¬ 
sion, induced by the continued feebleness of his health, 
which at times prevented him from wholly discharging his 
duties, led him repeatedly to ask dismission from his charge. 

Towards the close of his labors he was able to perform but 
one service on the Sabbath. Still his people declined his 
repeated request for a final separation. 

They at length consented, on the representation of phy¬ 
sicians, to refer the matter to the council that dismissed him. 
The council express, in their result, much sympathy for him 
in his affliction, and bear honorable testimony to the excellence 
of his character as a minister of the Gospel. 

JOSIAH WOLCOTT, OF OXFORD. 

This Josiah Wolcott, of Oxford, Massachusetts, was a 
descendant, of the fifth generation, from Henry Wolcott, 
who, with his wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Saunders, 
and family, came to Hew England in 1630. First settled 
at Dorchester, Massachusetts. He came from Tolland, in 
Somersetshire, in England. After residing a few years at 
Dorchester, removed with his family, and Rev. John Maverick, 
and many of the members of his church, of Dorchester, to 
Connecticut, and founded the town of Windsor. He was a 
gentleman of education and wealth, and here became a magis¬ 
trate, and assistant in originating the plan for the government 
of the colony of Connecticut. He died, May 30, 1655 ; and 
his wife died the same year, about a month afterward. They 
had six children.* 


* See New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. ix, p. 338 ; also, Congrega¬ 
tional Quarterly, 1859, vol. i, pp. 141-160. 



OXFORD. 


245 


HENRY WOLCOTT, 

the eldest surviving son of the preceding, married Sarah, 
daughter of Thomas Newberg. He resided in Windsor, 
where he followed the occupation of a merchant, and was 
intrusted with many public offices. 

JOSIAH WOLCOTT, 

the youngest son of the preceding, Henry and Sarah New- 
berg Wolcott, received a classical education, and was a mer¬ 
chant, for a time, at Windsor, but removed to Salem, Massa¬ 
chusetts, and was honored with several public offices, and was 
judge of the Court of Common Pleas at time of his decease, 
in 1729. 

His second wife was Mary, daughter of John Freke, a 
merchant in Boston. His lady received from her grand¬ 
father, Thomas Freke, of England, a large landed estate; in 
the deed recorded at Boston, 2,000 acres are described as 
being at a place called “ Qunecuslitt ” (Thompson) in the 
Nipmuck country; also another parcel of land in the town¬ 
ship of Hew Oxford, in the Nipmuck country, and both in 
the county of Suffolk. 

JOHN WOLCOTT, 

the youngest and only surviving son of the preceding, Josiah 
and Mary Freke Wolcott, graduated at Harvard college 
in the year 1721, and represented Salem in the General 
Court. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Captain Peter 
Papillion, of Boston, and afterwards occupied the position 
of high sheriff of Essex county. He died in the year 1747. 
He was the owner of a wharf and other real estate in 
Boston. 


246 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT. 


JOSIAH WOLCOTT, 

the second and only surviving son of the preceding, John and 
Elizabeth Papillion Wolcott, married Isabella, daughter of 
Rev. John Campbell, first minister of Oxford. She was born, 
July 26, 1728, and died June 27, 1786. He settled at Ox¬ 
ford, on the estate bequeathed to him by his grandmother, 
and in right of his mother in the Papillion estate, and a very 
large estate in land in this town. He was born, April 16, 
1733, and died, December 9, 1796. By this marriage he had 
eleven children. 

Two years before his death he married, for his second 
*wife, widow Haomi Jennison, of Douglas, relict of Samuel 
Jennison; she was a native of St. Thomas, of the West 
Indies, and survived her husband many years, and deceased, 
in 1848, at a great age. 

The following is a copy of a paper in his handwriting : 

u Josiah Wolcott, with his children, desires to give thanks to God, 
in this church and congregation, for God’s great goodness to him, al¬ 
though he has been shaking him over ye gates of ye grave by sore sick¬ 
ness. But blessed be God that He has granted him a reprieve, and has 
raised him to such a measure of health that he is able to wait upon God, 
with his people, in this house of prayer, and again to worship Him in 
the beauty of holiness.” 

Among the items of the inventory of his personal estate 
were several valuable paintings and pieces of marble work, 
and two large oil-painted likenesses, nicely framed in gilt, 
said to have been likenesses of a gentleman and lady and 
child, and were brought from England ; probably portraits 
of some of the Freke family. 

His papers and these works of art are not in the posses¬ 
sion of descendants of this family; the former, probably, 
destroyed; and where the latter are, if in existence, is not 
known. 


OXFORD. 


247 


LAWYERS. 


OXFORD. 

Samuel Jennison, graduate of Harvard university, 1774, 
Erasmus Babbitt, “ “ « 1775. 

Ira Moore Barton, “ “ « 1819. 

Sumner Bastow, “ Brown « 1802. 

Peter C. Bacon, “ “ « 1827. 

Charles G. Prentice, afterwards register of probate. 
Charles Bowman. 


SUMNER BASTOW. 

Mr. Bastow was a native of Uxbridge. He was a graduate 
of Brown university in 1802. For some time after he left # 
college he was engaged in mercantile business, but he after¬ 
wards read law w r ith Estees Howe, Esq., of Sutton, and was 
admitted to the bar at Worcester, in March, 1811. He 
opened a law office in West Sutton, where he continued, hav¬ 
ing a profitable business, till 1823, when he received the ap¬ 
pointment of cashier of the Oxford bank, and removed there, 
and entered upon the discharge of the duties of that office, 
which he performed with great exactness and fidelity the re¬ 
mainder of his life. 

His law profession was, during this latter period, in a great 
measure abandoned. In 1824 he was a candidate for repre¬ 
sentative to Congress, as a competitor against Jonas Sibley and 
John Davis, when the latter candidate succeeded to the office. 

He died at Oxford, December 29, 1845, at the age of 
sixty-seven. 


SAMUEL JENNISON. 


He was the son of Dr. Jennison, of Brookfield. Graduated 
at Harvard university, in 1774. Little is known of him as a 
lawyer at this time. He was the father of Mr. Samuel Jenni¬ 
son, for a long time cashier of the Worcester Bank. 


248 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


ERASMUS BABBITT. 

He seems to have been somewhat unstable in his place of 
habitation. It appears, at times he resided and practiced his 
profession in different places ; at Oxford, Westborough, Graf¬ 
ton, Charlton, and the Poll Parish, now Southbridge. Grad¬ 
uated at Harvard university in 1790. He was the son of the 
celebrated Dr. Thomas Babbitt, of Brookfield, and brother of 
Dr. Thomas Babbitt, of Sturbridge. He was a captain in 
the army, under Colonel Nathan Rice, stationed at Oxford in 
the fall and winter of 1798-99 (Colonel Rice being a*native 
of Sturbridge, and son of Rev. Caleb Rice). He possessed a 
remarkable memory, but convivial and social habits in too 
great a degree to accomplish much as a business man. 

As a singer of popular songs, he was remarkable. It has 
been said of him that he could begin at sunrise and continue 
to sing different songs, without intermission, till sundown. 
Whether such be the fact, it would be difficult to prove; but 
there is no doubt of the fact that, as a singer of songs, his 
memory and vocal powers were very great. 

He was the grandfather of the celebrated Charlotte Cush¬ 
man, her mother’s maiden name being Mary Eliza Babbitt. 
It is reported that he died in service during the British war 
with the United States, 1812 to 1815. 

HON. IRA MOORE BARTON. 

Judge Barton, in writing of himself to Joseph Willard, 
Esq., giving an account of the lawyers who had practiced in 
the town of Oxford, where he then resided (the object being 
to enable Mr. Willard to prepare the address he delivered 
before the bar of Worcester county, October 2, 1829), states: 

“ As for myself, I was bora in Oxford, Massachusetts, October 25, A. D., 
1796; was graduated at Brown university in 1819 ; studied law with 


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OXFORD. 


249 


General. Bridgham in Providence, Governor Lincoln in Worcester, Sum¬ 
ner Bastow, Esq., in Sutton, and was something more than eighteen 
months at the Law school connected with Harvard university, where I 
received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1822. I was admitted as 
an attorney at the Common Pleas, at the September term, 1822; have 
passed through the several grades of professional dignity up to that of 
counsellor of the Supreme Court; and am now, what I have been for 
years past, a practitioner of law in the town of Oxford. 

“Date, September 10, 1829.” 

He represented tlie town in the State Legislature for the 
years 1830, 1831, and 1832 ; a State senator in 1833 and 
1834, and, in this latter year, was appointed one of the com¬ 
missioners for revising the statutes. The same year he re¬ 
moved to Worcester. In 1836 was appointed by Governor 
Everett to succeed Hon. Nathaniel Paine, as judge of probate, 
and held that office eight years, when he resigned, and re¬ 
sumed the practice of law. He was chosen a presidential 
elector in 1840. He became a member of the Antiquarian 
society in 1841. In 1849 he retired from a general attend¬ 
ance upon* the courts, but continued to give counsel, u in 
chambers,” at his own house, till 1861. He died on the 18th 
of July, 1867. 

“ In every station he was placed, in public or private, he 
was distinguished for ability, sterling integrity, and earnest 
devotion to the fullest performance of every duty.” 

“ He was always a careful and judicious adviser, and was 
equally able and successful as an advocate, possessing, in a 
high degree, practical wisdom and sagacity. He was a poli¬ 
tician only in the sense of a desire to participate in public 
affairs to be useful. Hence he inspired confidence in his in¬ 
tegrity and sincerity of purpose, whatever might be the 
political policy which he supported. He was always an 
earnest supporter of measures for general education and the 
improvement of morals. In the Legislature he was an able 
debater and an efficient worker on committees.” 

17 


250 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


Besides his duties in his profession, and in political matters, 
he found much time to gratify his taste for literature, and 
genealogical and antiquarian researches. His large knowl¬ 
edge of subjects generally, and his ability as a writer, called 
his talents often into requisition for the delivery of orations 
and public addresses ; while he was often a contributor to 
newspapers and periodicals, elucidating various subjects and 
questions with singular ability. 

In 1846 he visited Europe; and was a member of the 
New York and Wisconsin Historical societies. 

HON. ALEXANDEE DE WITT. 

Alexander De Witt was born in New Braintree, Worcester 
county, Massachusetts, April 2, 1798, being one of a family 
of nine children. His parents were in low circumstances, not 
able to afford him the ordinary advantages of a common 
school education. The first fourteen years of his life were 
spent with his parents, his time being engaged in service 
upon farms and sundry jobs for the benefit of the family. 
But while he had not the advantages of schools for education, 
he never lost an opportunity for improvement, mentally or 
socially. He always sought the company of his superiors in 
point of education and general intelligence, and always with 
the end in view to his advancement to the position of a gen¬ 
tleman and equal of the best, in whatever society chance might 
place him. Possessing ample powers of discrimination, he 
has been able to reduce to his advantage whatever the time 
and circumstances could command, wherever he was placed. 
This is the key to his success. He is emphatically what is 
usually termed “ a self-made man ”—an honorable example to 
all youth, showing what perseverance and a determination to 
rise in the sphere of manhood may accomplish by personal 
effort, and without any of the advantages of family or exterior 
resources. Self-reliance has been his motto ; and from this 


OXFORD. 


251 


resource he has arisen to whatever position he has sustained, 
in either public or private life. At the age of fifteen he 
engaged his services with the Merino Manufacturing Company 
in Dudley, then carrying on the manufacture of wool, in con¬ 
nection with the usual business of a country variety store. 
He remained in this employ four years; being active and 
apt in adapting his services to whatever branch of their busi¬ 
ness he had in charge, he was available for any contingency, 
and was frequently sent abroad (although hut a youth, but 
manly in appearance and deportment), for the sale of their 
manufactures, and sometimes extended his travels through 
the Southern States. 

This service was a valuable school for general knowledge, 
that enabled him to profit by it in after years. 

In the year 1818 he went to Franklin, Massachusetts, and 
there was engaged in a manufactory of cotton, as an account¬ 
ant; and the following year formed a connection with Dr. 
Nathaniel Miller, of that town, for one year, for the purpose 
of making cotton thread. They had two frames of sixty-four 
spindles each. The following year he leased a larger mill at 
Foxborough, for the manufacture of the same goods, and at 
the same time opened a country store. When his goods 
were ready for market, he took them in a wagon, with the 
necessary provisions for boarding himself and horse, and 
started upon a peddling expedition ; and, although at first his 
pride was somewhat too much above his business to make it 
profitable, yet he soon yielded to its necessity, finding—what 
many a young man has failed to yield to, and thus not been 
able to succeed in his pursuits—the importance of placing him¬ 
self on a level with his business. With this point established, 
no opportunity passed by without claiming his prompt atten¬ 
tion and best efforts for disposing of his goods, whether for 
cash or exchange for other products, and in this manner he 
accomplished success. His goods were brought to the notice 


252 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


of the public, and soon a demand was created that was amply 
sufficient to dispose of all the goods his mill could produce, at 
a satisfactory profit. 

On the 5th of June, 1820, he married Mary, the daughter 
of William Makepeace, Esq., of Franklin, who is still living, 
and to whose sound judgment and faithfulness in the discharge 
of all duties relating to their domestic affairs he attributes 
much of his success in life. 

His father-in-law erected a factory, and united with him, 
and continued the manufacture of thread successfully till 1823. 
Mr. De Witt removed to Oxford, and, in connection with his 
three brothers, built the thread-mill that has been described 
in another place in this work, which business these brothers 
carried on successfully nearly twenty years. 

Colonel Alexander De Witt was largely identified with 
both the woolen and the cotton business at Oxford and other 
places many years, and in the several crises that the manu¬ 
facture of wool and cotton has passed through, that proved 
disastrous to many engaged in this pursuit, his management 
has been such, that, under all circumstances, he has not failed 
to meet every obligation with promptness and entire fidelity 
to his contracts. 

In 1830 he was elected by the town of Oxford as a Demo¬ 
cratic representative to the General Court, and was continued 
in that office six years; but in the years 1833 and 1834 he 
opposed the measures of the General Government in the re¬ 
moval of the deposits from the United States Bank, in that 
it was a violation of contract—an agreement having been 
made to continue the deposits in that institution a stated 
period, and which period had not expired. This severed his 
connection with the Democratic party. 

In 1837 he removed to Boston, and engaged in the domes¬ 
tic cotton and woolen goods business on commission, where 
he remained three years, and then returned to Oxford, and 


OXFORD. 


253 


soon again engaged in the cotton manufacture, which, at this 
time, was a profitable business. In 1842, 1844, 1850, and 
1851, was elected a senator to the Massachusetts Legislature. 
In 1853 and 1856 was a member of conventions held for 
amending the constitution of the State. He represented 
Worcester, South District, in Congress, in the years 1856 and 
1857. 

For many years he has been engaged in railroad improve¬ 
ments, banks, insurance companies, and other corporations, 
either as president or director; twenty-six years director in 
the Merchants’ and Farmers’ Insurance Company ; twenty- 
seven years in the State Mutual Life Insurance Company ; 
twenty years connected with the Mechanics’ Savings-Bank, 
as president and trustee; twenty-one years connected with 
the Mechanics’ Bank, Worcester, nine years as president and 
twelve years as director; twenty-one years connected with 
the Oxford Bank, five years as its president; twenty-five years 
connected with the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, three 
years as president; seventeen years director of the Providence 
and Worcester Railroad; twenty-five years director in the 
Norwich and Worcester Railroad. 

His time has, for many years, been largely engaged in 
public business, and managing corporate property. In what¬ 
ever station of life he has been called upon to act, he has 
discharged his duties and trusts with strict integrity and 
fidelity. 

Personally he may be described as large, and of command¬ 
ing appearance, florid complexion, possessing a cheerful, open 
countenance, naturally social, and at times inclined to be 
frolicsome ; is frank and open in giving expression to his 
sentiments; generously and benevolently disposed, often con¬ 
tributing his means to moral and religious objects, and ex¬ 
tending aid to those less fortunate than himself. 


254 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


LEARNED FAMILY. 

The names Ebenezer and Isaac Learned are found with the 
original English settlers who founded the town of Oxford in 
1713. They were the ancestors of all of that name in the 
south district of Worcester county. 

This Ebenezer died in 1780. He was colonel of the mi¬ 
litia ; came from Framingham ; his children were Ebenezer, 
afterward General Learned, in the Revolutionary war; Jere¬ 
miah, a captain of militia, and four daughters ; Abigail, who 
married Edward Davis, Esq., of Oxford ; Dolly, who married 
Captain Elijah Moore, of Oxford; Ruth, who married Cap¬ 
tain Samuel Davis, of Oxford; Comfort, who married Mr. 
Moore, of Worcester. General Ebenezer Learned married a 
Miss Baker, owned what is known as the Silas Turner place, 
and removed to the present Abisha Learned place. Was a 
colonel in the French war, and a brigadier in the war of the 
Revolution, and was at the capture of General Burgoyne. 
They had five sons and two daughters; Ebenezer, who died 
young ; Haynes, who married a daughter of Edward Davis ; 
he was a mill wright, and moved to Georgia; Sylvanus be¬ 
came colonel, and married another daughter of Edward 
Davis (Patty); she died, and he married the widow of his 
brother Rufus; one of the best business men in the town ; 
he served during seven years as a soldier in the war of the 
Revolution, and engaged in the “ Shays Rebellion,” to 
put it down, as adjutant. He was afterwards colonel in the 
militia. 

David Learned married Miss Hurd, daughter of Deacon 
Hurd, sister of the present Deacon Hurd, of this town; 
moved to Maine; was justice of the peace and sheriff of 
the county of Oxford; he and his father were heavy land¬ 
holders there, and gave the name Oxford to that county. 
Rufus, the youngest son, married Polly Humphrey. Dolly, 


OXFORD. 


255 


the eldest daughter, married a Mr. Hill, and lived in the 
south part of Oxford. Deborah married a Robinson; he 
was in the war of the Revolution, and died, leaving one child ; 
his widow then married Ebenezer Bray. 

Captain Jeremiah Learned married Elizabeth Hunt, of 
Littleton, for his first wife ; widow Mary Green, of Thomp¬ 
son, for his second; Dolly Barton (daughter of Dr. Stephen 
Barton) for his third wife; and a fourth wife, the widow 
of Dr. Weaver. He served in the French war as ensign, 
lieutenant, and captain; was at Ticonderoga and Lake George. 
In the Revolution he was regarded as a Tory. He was a 
true Whig after the war, much respected, and represented 
the town twelve years in the Legislature. He died, June, 
1812, aged seventy-nine. 

By his first wife, Elizabeth Hunt, he had six children: 
Jeremiah, a physician, died young ; Benjamin married Lydia 
Pitts, settled in Oxford, and died at the age of fifty-two ; 
Jonathan married a Miss Campbell; died, aged forty-two; 
Betsy married Dr. Drewry, of Spencer; Patty died young; 
Polly married Captain Joseph Atwood, removed to Taun¬ 
ton, and died there, leaving two children. He had no chil¬ 
dren by widow Green. By his third wife, Miss Barton, 
he had four children. Jeremiah married Susan Stockwell, 
died at thirty-five years, and had four children. Eben¬ 
ezer, son of Jeremiah, married Naomi Shumway, grand¬ 
daughter of Josiah Wolcott; died at thirty-two years, leav¬ 
ing no children; Stephen, the third son, died at the age 
of twenty-three, much lamented; Polly, the fourth child of 
Mrs. Barton Learned, married Joseph Stone, and had three 
children ; she died at the early age of twenty-one years. 

The foregoing is by Captain Stephen Barton. Many dates 
are wanting. 

The most noted families of Oxford have been: Learned, 
Davis, Moore, Barton, Campbell, Wolcott, and Town. More 


256 


ENGLISH SETTLEMENT, 


recently, Olney, De Witt, Hodges, Underwood, Harwood, and 
others. 

The Shumways, Sigourneys, and Ammidowns were of 
Huguenot descent—the two first of the French plantation; 
the latter came with the English colony, and was of an 
earlier class of French exiles, of the number of French Prot¬ 
estants that fled from France during the siege of Rochelle 
by Cardinal Richelieu in 1628, and came to New England 
with Captain John Endicot, to begin the colony of Massachu¬ 
setts Bay. 


/ 































































WOODSTOCK. 


Section III. 


CHAPTER I. 


ancient town was located in what was known at that 
time as the “ Nipmuck Country.” The native occupants 
were nearly all destroyed by the King Philip war, and had 
mostly disappeared from their former homes, clustering in 
small cabin villages through the interior of Massachusetts. 
This grant, when made, was supposed to be within the limits 
of that colony. These village homes were also destroyed, and 
nearly all that remained of them or their former occupants 
was that which was incorporated with the dust of the soil 
which they once tilled, or roamed over as their hunting-field. 
They now are only known by history. 


‘ ‘ Ask ye for hamlets, peopled bound, 

With cone-roof’d cabins circled round ? 

For chieftains proud—for hoary sire, 

Or warrior, terrible in ire?” 

“ Ye’ve seen the shadows quit the vale— 

The foam upon the water fail— 

The fleeting vapor leave no trace, 

Such was their path, that faded race !” 

The first meeting of the people of Roxbury (as their records 
show) to consult upon the subject of a grant of land for a town 
in this country, was on the 6th of October, 1683. Their object, 
18 


258 


WOODSTOCK. 


as stated, was to increase the pasturage for their cattle, and 
to improve their condition and usefulness to the colony. 

These reasons are quite similar to one of those given by the 
first planters, who went out from Massachusetts in 1635 to 
found the colony of Connecticut, as related in another place: 
u the want of accommodation for their cattle, so as they were 
not able to maintain their ministers, nor could receive any 
more of their friends to help them.” 

And it is presumed that the fathers of Woodstock, the 
parishioners of the Apostle Eliot, knew by him very well, the 
desirableness of these interior lands, which their venerable 
minister had but recently often traveled over on his pious 
mission to the natives then residing here, to hold forth to 
them the blessings of the Gospel, and were actuated by reasons 
similar to the second one given by the founders of Connec¬ 
ticut—“ the fruitfulness and commodiousness of the country.” 
It is not, however, the design here to make invidious criticisms 
upon the character of these hardy, industrious, and frugal 
pioneers—the founders of Woodstock, nor to screen their faults, 
but rather to state facts, let their bearing be what they may. 

Their second meeting was on the 10th following, and the 
third on the 17th instant, when the form of a petition was 
agreed upon, offered for signatures, and signed by the fol¬ 
lowing names : 


John .Chandler, 
William Lyon, 
Jonathan Davis, 
John Frissell, 
Joseph Frissell, 
Thomas Bacon, 
John Marcy, 
Nathan Sawyer, 
Ebenezer Morris, 
Nathan Gary, 

John Bugbee, 
Arthur Humphrey, 


James Corbin, 

John Chandler, Jr., 
Nathaniel Wilson, 
Benjamin Sabin, 
John Mayo, 
Benjamin Griggs, 
George Griggs, 
Peter Aspinwall, 
Jonathan Peak, 
Jonathan Smithers, 
John Ruggles, 
Samuel May, 


Edward Morris, 
Samuel Craft, 

Samuel Peacock, 
Thomas Lyon, 

James Barrett, 

Henry Bowen, 

John Levens, 

Samuel Scarborough, 
John Hubbard, 

John Bowen, 
Nathaniel Johnson, 
John Butcher. 


WOODSTOCK. 


259 


This petition was presented to the General Court by the 
selectmen of Roxbury, and received action upon it by that 
body, as follows : 

“At a General Court held at Boston, November 7, 1683, in answer to 
the petition of William Parker, John Bowles, Joseph Griggs, John Rug- 
gles, and Edward Morris, selectmen of Roxbury; and in their behalf, 
dated, ‘ October 10 and 17, 1683,’ for a tract of land for a village, to be 
laid out about Quantisset, to the quantity of seven miles square; the 
court grants their request, provided that the grant to Major Thompson, 
Mr. Stoughton, Mr. Dudley and Company have the first choice before 
the tenth of June next, and provided thirty families be settled on said 
plantation within three years of that time, and maintain amongst them 
an able, orthodox, godly minister. 

“ Attest, 

“EDWARD RAWSON, Secretary .” 

This grant to the selectmen of Roxbury for the town of 
Woodstock, which for several years was known as New Rox¬ 
bury, was a part of the tract of land conveyed by deed by 
these Indians, dated, “February 10,1681,” to William Stough¬ 
ton and Joseph Dudley, as agents of Massachusetts, referred 
to in the history of Oxford. It included in its limits mostly 
three of the Indian villages which Captain Daniel Gookin 
gives an account of, in relating the incidents of the journey 
die made with Rev. John Eliot to this country: 

“This year again, on the 14th of September, 1674, we both took 
another journey, Our design was to travel further among them, and to 
confirm their souls in the Christian religion, and to settle teachers in 
every town, and to establish civil government among them, as in the 
other praying towns.” 

The first of these three towns within this grant was 
Maanexit, located in the north-east part of the same, and a 
part of Thompson, on the borders of Mohegan river (the 
Quinebaug). The second was Quantisset, referred to in the 
order of court for this grant, about six miles to the south 
of the first village, and in the south-east part of the grant, 


260 


WOODSTOCK. 


and extending into the territory now Thompson. The third 
was Wabquassit, or, as called in the records of the early 
proceedings of Woodstock, “ Wappaqnasset,” located in the 
south part of this grant. 

Mr. Gookin adds: 

“Upon the 16th day of September, being at Wabquassit, as soon as 
the people had come together, Mr. Eliot first prayed, and then preached 
to them in their own language out of Matthew, y, 33, ‘ First seek the 
kingdom of heaven , and the righteousness thereof and all things shall he 
added unto you .’ After these services, as was customary, Mr. Gookin, 
then the Indian agent of the colony, held court upon civil affairs, ap¬ 
pointing officers to attend to the well ordering of matters among them, 
giving these officers special charge to be diligent and faithful in their 
places.”* 

These Indian villages were, no doubt, a part of those which 
John Oldham and his three companions visited in September, 
1633 (forty-one years before the visit by Gookin and Eliot), at 
the time of his excursion to discover the country of the river 
of Connecticut, as related by Governor Winthrop in his 
journal.! 

On the 21st of January, 1684, the town of Roxbury au¬ 
thorized the selectmen to send a committee to view the 
country where it was intended to locate the grant made to 
them for a town, and report the best place. 

This committee consisted of four persons: Samuel Rug- 
gles, John Ruggles, John Courtis, and Isaac Morris ; but their 
report does not appear of record. The selectmen, however, 
give the result of the discoveries which they made: 

“They did find, according to their best understanding, that Wab¬ 
quassit and the lands adjacent might afford encouragement for a settle¬ 
ment of a township according to the court’s grant.” 

Upon which report, October 27,1684, the town of Roxbury 
declared by a vote, 


* See Collections Mass. Hist. Soc., vol. i, 1st series, pp. 190-192. 
t See Winthrop, by Savage, vol. i, p. 111. 




WOODSTOCK. 


261 


“ That they did expect of the information from the men sent to view 
the said tract of land, that liberty was granted, that if any persons had 
a desire to go to said land, they may do so only upon their own charges, 
and for such going the town will be at the expense of a pilot.” 

At the same meeting a committee was appointed consisting 
of Master Dudley (Joseph), Master Bowles, Deacon Parks, 
Lieutenant Buggies, and Edward Morris, 

“To draft propositions that may be most equal and prudent for the 
settlement of the place; and to present them to the town upon the 18th 
of November next ensuing, which was the same day appointed (so re¬ 
corded) to be a town meeting after lecture.” 

And furthermore, on the same day it was declared by the 
town, 

“That if any of the inhabitants do see good to withdraw from any 
interest in the grant of land, that they have liberty so to do without 
offence, provided it be done within three months; and then to be free of 
any further charges concerning the same, provided they have paid their 
proportion of the foregoing charges that were necessary before they so 
withdrew.” 

At the aforesaid appointed town meeting, the 13th of July, 
1685, the committee selected to draft propositions for settling 
the grant, made report as follows : 

“ It is agreed and ordered that if there shall appear to the selectmen 
thirty persons or upwards who shall give in their names, to plant and 
settle on said lands, so as to fulfill the conditions of the grant of the 
General Court, referring to the same, they shall have to themselves and 
their heirs, the full half of the whole tract in one square, at their own 
choice, to be proportionably divided among them.” 

“ And further, the town do engage to assist the goers and planters with 
£100, money, to be paid in equal portions in five years, to be laid out in 
public buildings and charges, as the old town of Roxbury (the grant at 
this time being known as New Roxbury) shall annually determine. The 
rest of the inhabitants of the town shall have the remaining half to be 
equally and proportionably divided to them, to be to them and their 
heirs forever.” 

Adjourned eight weeks. 

At the adjourned meeting the aforesaid agreement in every 


262 


WOODSTOCK. 


article and particular having been read, it was unanimously 
consented to, the contrary being put, not one appeared therein. 

“ September 8th, 1685. 

Voted: “That, as an additional inducement to the £100, allowed the 
settlers as aforesaid, that the estates which the goers leave behind them 
in Roxbury shall be free from the rates for raising this sum, to the num¬ 
ber of thirty-five persons. ” 

Also, same day agreed, 

“ That the £100 be expended on that half of the grant which the goers 
shall select and sit down upon.” 

Also, 

“That the £100 be rhised, and paid £20 per year to such persons as 
the goers shall depute, and to be expended in public works on that half 
of the grant, viz., for meeting-house, minister’s house, mill, bridges,” &c. 

It was further agreed, 

‘ ‘ That notwithstanding the town of Roxbury (that is to say—the 
stayers) have engaged £100, money, to those that shall go and take one 
half of the grant in a square, yet that if any persons or person, by them¬ 
selves or others, shall go •and sit down on the other half, they shall be 
liable to bear all public charges with them that go first (in all respects, 
except the propriety of land), from the time of their improvement on the 
other half, until such time as the stayers, or old town, shall see good, 
and desire to be by themselves as a township, and the charges thereof 
at which time they shall in all respects be clear of payment of any 
charges in common with the first goers; and that this meeting be 
adjourned to this day fortnight.” 

At the adjourned meeting, September 22, 1685, 

‘ ‘ It was unanimously declared by the people of Roxbury, for the en¬ 
couragement of such as were willing to go up to the Nipmug country in 
the spring in order to a settlement, they shall have liberty to break up 
land and plant where they please for the present yedr without being 
bound thereby to accept of what land they plant or otherwise improve, 
as their share or part of the half of the court’s grant to this town; and 
that they shall have liberty at any time between this day and 29th of 
September next, 1686, to make and declare their choice of the one half 
of the said court’s grant, according to articles agreed to in public town 
meeting, July 13, 1685. And for the encouragement of the first planters 
at Wabquassit, at this meeting it was agreed that they should have a 


WOODSTOCK. 


263 


surveyor to assist them in finding the colony line, or otherwise for fur¬ 
ther promotion of their design, upon the charge of the whole town.” 

The records of the new Roxbury settlers, afterward Wood- 
stock, show the following: 

‘ ‘ April, 5, 1686. 

"‘These are the thirteen who were sent out to spy out Woodstock as 
planters, and to take actual possession: Jonathan Smithers, John Fris- 
sell, Nathaniel Gary, John Marcy, Benjamin Griggs, John Lord, Benja¬ 
min Sabin, Henry Bowen, Matthew Davis, Thomas Bacon, Peter Aspin- 
wall, George Griggs, and Edward Morris.” 

This was the beginning of the actual settlement of Wood- 
stock. 

This is the year that the grantees of Oxford began the first 
settlement of that town, which, unfortunately, after about ten 
years, was abandoned for a period of seventeen years before a 
permanent settlement was commenced. Thus the permanent 
settlement of Woodstock was twenty-seven years in advance 
of Oxford. 

Notwithstanding settlers had gone forward in April to 
take possession and begin the settlement of the new town, 
those who remained at Roxbury continued their efforts in 
behalf of the undertaking. 

Their records show that on the 14th of May, 1686, at a 
town meeting, a committee of the following men were ap¬ 
pointed to aid the Enterprise : 

“ Samuel Williams, Senior, Sergeant Timothy Stevens, and John 
Courtis, whose duty it is to go to the Nipmug country and view the 
land by the General Court granted for our enlargement of the township 
and inhabitants of Roxbury, in order to the laying out of the same; who 
are alsq empowered to settle the southern bounds of the grant upon or 
near the colony line; and also to determine the length and breadth of 
the court’s grant as they judge most convenient for the town in general; 
that the first goers or settlers may make choice of their half thereof, ac¬ 
cording to a grant to them by a vote of the inhabitants of Roxbury, 
July 13, 1685.” 

The committee chosen on the 14th of May, 1686, reported 


264 


WOODSTOCK. 


to the town of Roxbury at a meeting held on the 12th day of 
June, following: 

“We, whose names are here underwritten, being chosen a committee 
to go to the Nipmug country to view the land and pitch the southern 
bounds of the grant to the town of Roxbury, did, upon the 25th of May 
last, go to the place where several of the inhabitants of Roxbury have 
set up a house and planted several acres of corn, and from that house a 
mile and a half southward we first marked a white-oak-tree, from which 
we marked several others, w T hite-oaks and black-oaks, walnuts, chest¬ 
nuts, and other trees, both eastward and westward in the same line, for 
the space of three miles and a half or thereabouts. And in case the first 
goers do chose that side of the township next to the colony line where 
we have already marked, and do run eight miles from the east end of 
the line that we have marked westward, and three miles in breadth from 
this south line, then we lay the whole of the court’s grant to Roxbury, 
eight miles long from east to west and six and a quarter miles (or so 
much as will make up the complement of the said grant) from south to 
north.” 

“But if the first goers should decide contrawise, viz., by a north and 
south line, then we order that the south line which we have begun shall 
run further eastward home to Quinebaug river, and be six miles and so 
much more as will make up the complement from east to west, and eight 
miles from south to north, as witness our hands. 

SAMUEL WILLIAMS, 
TIMOTHY STEVENS, 
JOHN COURTIS.” 

This report, having been read at a meeting of the inhabit¬ 
ants of the town of Roxbury, was accepted. 

At the same meeting, 

‘ ‘ Liberty was granted to the settlers in the new town to propound 
persons of other places to fill up the number required by the court in 
their grant for the new town, whose estates or other qualifications shall 
be referred unto the selectmen of this town for approval, and who may 
accordingly be admitted with the .goers to settle there, and have like 
privileges with the other goers.” 

At a town meeting in Roxbury, June 15, 1686, it was 
decided, 

“ That the time be limited to the 29th of September next for the set- 


WOODSTOCK. 


265 


tiers to decide which half of the grant they will take, being governed 
by the limits established by the locating committee, as before stated in 
their report.” 

And it was decided, 

“ That the time for entering names to be an inhabitant in that half 
of the grant to be appropriated for settlers, or goers, shall be limited to 
the 1st of May, 1687, and their number not to exceed fifty; and all but 
ten to be inhabitants of Roxbury, and such as are from other towns to 
be approved by the selectmen of that town.” 

It was further agreed, 

“ That the goers at present settled on the grant-have liberty to take up 
their home lots forthwith; other settlers, as fast as they come there; 
and that Lieutenant Samuel Ruggles, Sergeant Timothy Stevens, and 
Samuel Williams, senior, shall be a committee for the New Town till the 
last of next May, to decide any differences that may arise among them.” 

On the 27th of September, 1686, the settlers at New Rox¬ 
bury decided, 

“ That the division line shall run east and west, and that they would 
take the south half of the court’s grant.” 

On the same day, September 27, 1686, the town of Rox¬ 
bury decided 

“That the rule of division of the other, or north half of the court’s 
grant, which now belonged to that town, shall be apportioned according 
to each man’s assessment per head and estate, in the country rates, by 
the last year’s roll; by which also stayer’s share of charges for the pay¬ 
ment of the £100 shall be paid. The castle soldiers and troopers are to 
be added, and all such as are now sixteen years of age, all goers except¬ 
ed ; and that the selectmen in each and every year for the time being, 
are hereby empowered to proportion each man’s share of said £100, and 
the constable, in the several years, to collect and gather the same as he 
doth the other town rates. 

‘ ‘ The list of castle men, troopers, and others, not in the last year’s 
roll, are to be brought in to the selectmen within six weeks after the 
date hereof.” 

It was further agreed by the town of Roxbury, on the 5th 
of October, 1686, 


266 


WOODSTOCK. 


“That each of the inhabitants and proprietors of the town, except 
such as have rights given them in the first half of the new town in the 
Nipmug country, do, within one week next coming, bring in to the select¬ 
men a perfect list of all their own proper estates, heads, houses, lands, 
and cattle, which shall be equally appraised and summed up at the rate 
formerly in usage for country rates; and that the selectmen may levy 
this year £20 thereupon, towards the payment .of the £100 granted to 
the new town, and the remainder, afterwards according to the same list, 
which list shall be duly and fairly entered in the records of the town, 
and be the rule of division of lands in the half of the new town reserved 
for those of this town who stay, to be to them and their heirs forever; 
and that this be instead of the vote taken, September 27th, 1686, that 
being hereby taken away.” 

It was voted, March 5, 1687, by Roxbury, 

‘ ‘ That if any person or persons see meet to relinquish his or their 
right in the lands of New Roxbury, he or they shall be quit of any pay¬ 
ment to that or any other future charges, he giving the same under his 
hand to the said constable within seven days next coming; other persons 
of the proprietors now present having offered to take such refused 
rights and pay the past rates and further charges that may be agreed 
upon, being necessary for the security of the title of the place. And 
further, they do now agree that the committee of both towns do pursue 
the obtaining a patent for the same, and do hereby empower the select¬ 
men to raise upon the estates of both towns what money may be neces¬ 
sary for the defraying the charges for the patent not exceeding £30 
money; and that the quit rent be paid for the future by all the pro¬ 
prietors, according to their several interests there. 

And, further, it is agreed, 

“ That the inhabitants of the new town make their election, either to 
have half the charges for the payment for the patent deducted out of 
the last payment of the £100 promised them, or pay one third part 
thereof, in common with their neighbors, within one month.” 

Furthermore, it is agreed, that, 

“ Whoever desires to enter as a goer to take up in that half of the 
town granted to the first goers, shall be twenty-one years of age by the 
tenth of June, 1688.” 

On the 13th of December, 1686, the selectmen of Roxbury 


WOODSTOCK. 


267 


met, and made the first assessment upon the polls and estates 
of that town as a part of the £100, promised the first settlers 
of Woodstock. 

It is stated in their town records as £21 Os. 5d, granted to 
the goers into the Nipmug country, and was committed to the 
hands of Samuel Craft for collection. 

There is an entry in Roxbury town records of expenses 
paid parties for services rendered at the plantation in the 
Nipmug country. 

“ Paid John Gore for journey to the Nipmug country, eleven days ser¬ 
vices at the request of the goers, according to a town vote, £3 Os. Od.” 

This Mr. Gore was a surveyor, and was employed by the 
committee appointed on the 14th of May last, as before stated, 
for locating the new town. 

This committee of location were paid as follows: 

£ s. d. 

To Samuel Williams,.130 

“ Ensign Timothy Stevens, - - - - - 1 3 0 

“ John Courtis, - - - * - - - 130 

“ Indian Pilot, - -.0 6 0 

The sums here paid are a valuable index for judging of the 
value of time and labor at this period; or of money in pro¬ 
curing such service. 

There is also recorded the names and sums paid to the town’s 
committee, who went up to the Nipmug country first, to view 
and to report the best place for a town * 

£ s. d. 

To Samuel Ruggles, - - - - - - 1197 

“ John Ruggles, - - - - - - -110 0 

“ John Courtis, - -.170 

‘ ‘ John Mower,. 

On the 12th of July, 1687, 

“It being lecture day (so recorded), the inhabitants of Roxbury being 


See vote of Roxbury, January 21, 1684, before related. 





268 


WOODSTOCK. 


desired to stay, there was then read a summons by his Excellency, the 
governor, signed by William West, dated ‘July 11,’ wherein was signified 
that he expected that some of Roxbury would appear before his Excellency 
forthwith, to make answer to such complaints as were made against 
them by the Indians, in reference to Nipmug lands, etc. The meeting 
voted that Lieutenant Samuel Ruggles and John Gore be a committee to 
attend to his Excellency’s request.” 

At the same time, 

“The foregoing were appointed a committee to petition his Excellency 
and the Honorable Council for a patent or confirmation of the new town 
in the Nipmug country. The charges to be equally borne by the polls 
and estates of both towns. ” 

There does not appear upon the records of the town of 
Roxbury any transaction relating to the new town in the Nip- 
mug country in the year 1688. But on the 13th of January, 
1689-’90, a request was made to the General Court to grant 
the settlement in the Nipmug country to be a township, and 
to confirm the same, and to give the town a name. This 
desire for a name for the new town, came probably from the 
settlers; as on the 1st of January, 1689, the planters chose a 
committee of three to petition the General Court for a sub¬ 
stitute for New Roxbury, for a name for the town. This 
committee were Edward Morris, William Bartholomew, and 
Nathaniel Johnson. The committee, no doubt, applied to the 
town of Roxbury, which brought out the request to the Gen¬ 
eral Court, from the committee of that town appointed on 
January 3, as above. 

The General Court of Massachusetts, it appears, considered 
the request of the petitioners for a name for the new town, 
March 18,1690, when it was voted by the deputies that New 
Roxbury be called “ Woodstock.” 

At the same time Captain Thomas Thurston and Lieutenant 
Samuel Barber, of Medfield, and Josiah Chapin, of Mendon, 
were appointed a committee to advise and assist in the 
odering and settling the town affairs. 


WOODSTOCK:. 


269 


It is related that a memorandum was found in the diary of 
Judge Samuel Sewall, of Boston, to wit: 

“ I gave New Roxbury the name of Woodstock, because of its near¬ 
ness to Oxford, for the sake of Queen Elizabeth and the notable meet¬ 
ings that have been held at that place bearing the name in England.”* 


* See Annals of America, by Dr. Abial Holmes, a descendant of John Holmes, one of the 
founders of Woodstock, vol. i, p. 420. 

The towns of Oxford and Woodstock, granted by Massachusetts in this interior, called the 
Nipnet, Nipmuck, and in the records of Roxbury, Nipmug country, were names given in 
honor of the notable towns of those names in Oxfordshire, in England. Oxford is about 
fifty-five miles from London; its chief celebrity is derived from the university located 
there, and the Bodleian library. The university dates back in history nearly 1,000 years. 
The library was founded in 1598, near the close of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, by Thomas 
Bodley. It has about 300,000 volumes of printed books, and is regarded as one of the best 
selected libraries for rare and scientific works in Europe. Woodstock is about eight miles 
from Oxford. The old part of this town is noted as having been the royal residence of the 
Saxon and Norman kings. King Alfred translated here the “ Consolation of Philosophy,” 
by Boetius. Here, also, much to the displeasure of his French wife (Eleanor, Duchess of 
Aquitaine), Henry II, founder of the Plantagenet dynasty, kept his mistress, the fair Rosa, 
mond, daughter of Lord Clifford, about the year A. D., 1173. 

It is reported that a conspiracy was formed by his queen and sons for removing this 
object of his attachment, The fair Rosamond was, as reported, concealed in a labyrinth at 
this place; her lodgment the queen discovered by a silken thread, when she soon had this 
mistress brought into her presence, and compelled her to drink poison, by which she lost 
her life. 

There is a poetic dialogue, by Algernon Charles Swinburne, called “ Rosamond, the Maze 
of Woodstock,” between the characters, “ Rosamond and Constance,” “ Queen Eleanor, 
Robert De Barchard, King Henry,” etc,, in four parts, which refers to these affairs of gal. 
lantry, and the queen’s indignation and destruction of her rival in the affections of 
the king. 

Tennyson also gives two stanzas in “ The Dream of Fair Women," which portrays poor 
Rosamond’s distress on knowing of the enmity of Queen Eleanor: 

“ Alas! alas ! a low voice full of care, 

Murmured beside me; turn and look on me; 

I am that Rosamond whom men call fair, 

If what I was, I be. 

Would I had been some maiden coarse and poor ! 

O me ! that I should ever see the light! 

Those dragon eyes of anger’d Eleanor 
Do haunt me day and night.” 

During the reign of Mary, Queen of England, her step-sister (afterward Queen Elizabeth), 
was accused of plotting for the throne, and was arrested and confined in the Tower, 
March 17, 1554. 

Queen Mary at this time was engaged to Philip II, King of Spain, and was married on 
July 25, 1554. 

The ambassador of Charles V, acting in behalf of Philip, desired to remove this rival for 
the throne, and urged Elizabeth’s execution ; but the queen would not listen to such harsh 
measures, and ordered Elizabeth to be sent to Woodstock, where she remained until it was 
reported she had professed the Catholic faith, which gained the favor of her sister, who was 
then the wife of Philip, and was soon admitted at court, and to visit her friends in London. 
She continued to make Woodstock her residence, through fear of the queen, who, made 



270 


WOODSTOCK. 


The town of Roxbury, in further consideration of the mat¬ 
ter in respect to Woodstock, decided, on the 7th of March, 
1691-’92, 

‘ ‘ That the inhabitants who hold lands in the north half of that town, 
will make up the payment of the forty pounds, the two first payments of 
£20 each, by the 1st day of May next; and the other three payments, 
£60, in two years from that time.” 

The lands in the north half of Woodstock, through the 
assessments made upon the Roxbury proprietors for the pay¬ 
ment of the £100, as before related, and for other charges, 
became to be regarded rather as a burden than as desirable 
property, when, from time to time, the records of Roxbury 
show there were frequent transfers to relieve themselves from 
such charges. 

The people of Roxbury, as well as the settlers at Wood- 
stock, began to have a desire to close up the connection that 
existed in their affairs. 

At a town meeting in Roxbury, May 5, 1693-’94, the 
selectmen were directed to settle all matters of difference be¬ 
tween that town and Woodstock ; a committee from the latter 
town, it appears, were there for that purpose. 


irritable by sickness and fanatical zeal, could scarcely be restrained from taking the lives of 
any who she imagined interfered with her rights to the throne. Philip now favored Eliza¬ 
beth, as it became evident that his hold upon the throne of England by Mary would, ere 
long, cease by her death. 

He now, no doubt, looked to Elizabeth as his only hope, in the loss of his wife, for con¬ 
tinuing his interests in the succession. Elizabeth, while here, devoted her time to her 
studies, until the death of Queen Mary, November 17, 1558. 

She now came to the throne; but Philip’s hopes in the succession, throitgh a marriage 
with Elizabeth, soon ended in disappointment. 

Also, there is an amusing story of a hoax perpetrated here in 1649. Commissioners had 
been sent here to survey the ancient manor-house and park of Woodstock, when they were 
interrupted by singular noises, which they took to be from ghosts which haunted the place. 
This story is styled “The Good Devils of Woodstock.” See Hone’s Every Day Book, vol. ii, 
p. 582. 

This is the story upon which Sir Walter Scott founds his Waverley novel, “ Woodstock.” 



WOODSTOCK. 


271 


Roxbury claimed the following charges : 


For a petition to the General Court for the 
patent, and a draft for same, paid Consta¬ 
ble Weld -. 

Preparing said petition - 
For confirmation of patent - 
For parchment for drawing patent 


£. s. d. 
0 10 0 
0 10 0 
3 0 0 
0 2 01 


At a town meeting, October 1, 1694, it was agreed by the 
people of Roxbnry to assess the polls and estates of the 
inhabitants £53 9s. 5d., money, for the balance of the £100, 
promised the first settlers in the plantation at Woodstock. 

Again, the subject of this payment still delayed, was 
brought forward at a town meeting, March 4, 1694- J 95, when 
it was declared, 

“That all parties against whom assessment had been made for the pay¬ 
ment of the balance of the £100, promised the first settlers in the grant of 
the General Court to Roxbury in the Mpmug country, who shall neglect 
the payment of such assessment more than fourteen days from this date, 
and the payment for patent charges therewith, shall forfeit his or their 
rights in the town’s half of the said grant, notwithstanding what they 
have already paid towards the same.” 

It was also provided, 

“For the laying out of the Nipmug lands in the north half of that 
grant, the ensuing summer, into such several divisions as shall be judged 
needful and convenient for the town. In which division, each of the 
inhabitants will receive their proportional right in the same, as it shall 
fall to them by lot.” 

The following is a copy of a letter found recorded upon the 
town records of Roxbury, received, as it shows, from the people 
of Woodstock, desiring a settlement of affairs between the 
parties, and a deed of the land, or half of the town, which, by 
mutual agreement, belonged now to them. 

“Woodstock, September 12, 1695. 

“ To the Town of Roxbury: 

11 Gentlemen— 

“ The time being much about expired, wherein all things between us 
are to be accomplished according to the articles of agreement between 
our committee, 


272 


WOODSTOCK. 


“ These are, therefore, to desire that the remaining part of the £100, 
and surveying part of money, together with a deed of our land, accord- 
ng to agreement, he delivered to Captain Josiah Chapin, whom this 
town doth appoint and depute to receive it, and to give a full discharge 
in our behalf thereof. 

“ Thus expecting your willingness and readiness to comply with our 
righteous and reasonable demands and request, we rest your very loving 
friends and neighbors, 

“JOHN CHANDLER, Junior, 

“ In the Name and by Order of the Towny 

Then follows the receipt, as above authorized: 

“ April 5, 1696. 

“Received of the selectmen of Roxbury the complete sum of £23 2s., 
current money, of the £100 promised by the inhabitants of Roxbury to 
the first settlers of the land granted by the General Court unto the 
inhabitants of Roxbury, in the Nipmug country, now called ‘ Woodstock.’ 
I say received the day and year above written, by order of the select¬ 
men of Woodstock, and for their use and account. 

“ By me, “JOSIAH CHAPIN. 

“ Witness: 

“Joseph Lyon, ) 

“John Gore, Clerk.” j - 

By an arrangement of the town of Roxbury, made on the 
26th of April, 1696, 

“It was agreed that the town’s half of the land in Woodstock be laid 
out to each and every inhabitant of Roxbury, according to the propor¬ 
tion of ten acres of land for every shilling by them paid towards the 
£100, which this town promised and paid to the first settlers of Wood- 
stock; and that the charges for the survey and laying out the same 
shall be borne by the proprietors in proportion to their number of acres. 

Also, it was agreed, 

“ That if the committee engaged by the town to lay out the shares in 
this land see cause to run the lots north and south, then the numbering 
of the lots, in order to the drawing for them, shall begin on the east 
side of the town, at the south-east corner, next to the division line 
between the first goers and stayers , and so in all the rest of the divisions. 
But if the said committee shall see cause to lay out the said lots east 
and west, yet notwithstanding, the said lots shall begin at the south¬ 
east corner, and the end of each lot shall abut upon the high-way; the 


WOODSTOCK. 273 

said committee to have respect to the quality of the land in laying out 
the same.” 

It then reads: 

“John Butcher was pitched upon for a surveyor, and Lieut. Samuel 
Buggies and John Davis, senior, were appointed and authorized by the 
town to be a committee for the survey and laying out the allotments, 
and fulfilling the agreement as is here expressed. But if Lieut. Buggies’ 
going to Newbury shall hinder his attending to this duty, then Samuel 
Scarborough shall act in his stead. £27 6s. 9d. was raised for the expense 
of this survey, June 28th, following.” 

The bills, as rendered for the expense of the foregoing sur¬ 
vey of allotments, were as follows: 


£ s. d. 

Services and expenses of John Butcher, surveyor, 4 00 00 


Samuel Scarborough, 7 07 06 

Samuel Buggies, 0 16 04 

John Davis, senior, 8 05 00 

Captain Stevens, 0 12 09 

Constable, John Lyon, 0 04 00 


The towns of Roxbury and Woodstock 


“Agreed, March 1st, 1706, on the request of Woodstock, to survey 
and run the division line between the south and north halves of that 
town. It was described as the half belonging to the inhabitants of 
Woodstock, and the half that belongs to the inhabitants of Boxbury. 

‘ ‘ The surveyor and parties who run the division line to be such as the 
two towns shall employ; and it was proposed that the bounds of the 
whole town be run by the same parties, and that a surveyor be sent up 
by Boxbury. 

“ John Gore was selected for this business as the surveyor, and Samuel 
Williams, of Boxbury, and Deacon Edward Morris, of Woodstock, were 
to represent Boxbury, to join with such as Woodstock may appoint, to 
run said partition line, and also to do what may otherwise be thought 
needful in running the side lines of that town.” 

“March 12th, 1706. 

11 ‘ The town of Boxbury appointed Deacon Edward Morris, and Benjamin 
Griggs, of Woodstock, to act in their behalf for the aforesaid survey of 
the division line, with instructions for marking the trees along the line ; 
to mark W on the Woodstock side, and B on Boxbury side,” 

19 



274 


WOODSTOCK. 


Furthermore, the parties in charge of this survey of the line 
of division were instructed to keep an account of the several 
trees marked, that each town may enter them in their book of 
records. 

The town of Roxbury appointed Jacob Parker to act with 
the committee for this survey, to take care to prevent the 
destruction of timber upon the Roxbury land at Woodstock. 

Furthermore, 

“March 1st, 1708, the town of Roxbury authorized Deacon Edward 
Morris and Benjamin Griggs to prosecute any parties who have or shall 
cut or carry off any timber or wood, or mow any meadow that belongs 
to any person of Roxbury or that town, unless they can show liberty 
under the hands of any particular person of this town to do so.” 

The running of the division line and border lines as afore¬ 
said began on the 5tli of March, 1707, beginning on the east 
side, running from Pompwongganug Hill, at the south-east 
corner, and finished, March 8, following. 


‘ ‘ Then the line was begun on the west side of Muddy Brook, and ex¬ 
tended west, when were found a number of marked trees, which were 
renewed, with W on the south side, and R on the north side, and a blaze 
on the east side (-), and on the west (O).” 


Then follows in the records of Roxbury the marked trees 
throughout the division line, from the east to west side of the 
town. 


(Signed) 


JOHN CHANDLER, Surveyor , 
EDWARD MORRIS, ) „ 
BENJAMIN GRIGGS, ) CommMee - 


On the 11th of May, 1711, the town of Roxbury appointed 
Captain Samuel Ruggles, Captain John Bowles, and Lieuten¬ 
ant Samuel Williams, to lay out the remaining lands in the 
north half of Woodstock. 

There are recorded some of the transfers of these lands in 
the north half of Woodstock on the last leaf of the Roxbury 
book of records, as late as January 27, 1730. 


WOODSTOCK. 


275 


These lands having been divided and become individual 
property, the town of Roxbury now ceased to have any inter¬ 
est in them ; and thus, so far as the action of the town was 
required, that interest closed with the last division of their 
share, as located in the north half of Woodstock, then con¬ 
tinued to be known for several years as New Roxbury. 

Although the town of Roxbury owned the property of one 
half of the land in Woodstock, she, as a town, never exercised 
any political rights there ; and those who took up lands in 
the north half of that town were admitted to participate in all 
the political affairs of Woodstock, the same as those located 
in the south half. Their only separate interests were those 
of property in lands. 

Having here closed the transactions which Roxbury had 
with the grant of land for Woodstock, the affairs of the set¬ 
tlers or residents, in relation to their political, religious, edu¬ 
cational, and other concerns, will now be given, so far as has 
been ascertained; briefly, for the reason that circumstances, 
distance from the place, and want of time have prevented any 
extended research for further information. 

Having before stated, that on the 5th of April, 1686, thir¬ 
teen planters had gone forward to spy out the grant, and to 
commence the plantation, the records show that on the 21st 
of July following, a meeting of “ goers to settle ” was held 
at Roxbury, preparatory for moving to this new plantation, 
to reinforce the first thirteen who began their residence here 
in April preceding. 

Soon after the arrival of this company of “ goers to settle,” 
the first political meeting of the settlers was held on the 
plantation, August 25, 1686. 

The object of this meeting was, first, to select a place for a 
meeting-house, a suitable lot for a minister, and then to pro¬ 
vide home lots for themselves. Their next movement was the 
location of high-ways needful for their present settlement, 


276 • 


WOODSTOCK. 


These first planters of Woodstock located on the hill now 
known as the high grounds of the south parish, being attracted 
there by the beauty of that elevation of land, which includes 
the present center village, the academy, and the Congrega¬ 
tional church, which is a continuation of the church and so¬ 
ciety planted there by these early fathers of the town. This 
meeting-house, it is believed, is now located near the spot 
selected by these first planters in August, 1686. 

And here, it is understood, was located the Wabquassit 
village of the ancient Nipmucks, where those natives were, by 
the apostle Eliot, in September, 1674, invited to a participa¬ 
tion in the saving grace of the Gospel. 

It is worthy of remark, in this connection, that there is 
ample proof of the judgment exercised by the Indians: that 
their wisdom in the selection of their town sites was, in most 
all cases, adopted by the English, their successors. Where 
once stood the cabins in the native village, now stands the 
meeting-house, the school-house, and, clustering around, the 
homes of the white man: 

‘ ‘ They, to greet the pale-faced stranger, 

Stretch’d an unsuspecting hand; 

Entrapp’d by treaties, driven forth to range 
The distant West in misery and revenge.” 

Such were the settlements before King Philip’s war : the 
trader and trapper first made a lodgment in the native vil¬ 
lage ; then the place was selected for a grant for a town—the 
Indians conveying their right for a mere pittance by a piece 
of paper, the contents of which to them were more difficult 
to decipher than were the hieroglyphics to Champolion. 

This hill of the south parish is called in the records of the 
town the Plain Hill; and it was decided by them that here 
should be erected their meeting-house, and that the laying 
out of home lots for planters should begin on the north end 
of this hill. 


WOODSTOCK. 


277 


^ The roads were laid out, running north and south, one on 
either side, six rods wide, and a broad road through the 
center, eight rods wide. The cross roads as might best ac¬ 
commodate the inhabitants. 

The house or home lots, it was agreed, at first, should be 
thirty acres, but afterward, as they remark, “ considering that 
large lots serve to scatter the settlers, it was decided to re¬ 
duce these lots to twenty acres.” 

It was then decided that the minister’s lot should be the third 
in number, and consist of twenty acres, with rights ; by which 
rights is understood to be the right to participate with the 
first settlers in the future divisions of land in the south half of 
the town, which became the property of those who removed 
to this country, and became inhabitants, to fulfill the con¬ 
ditions made by the General Court for issuing the grant to 
the people of Roxbury. 

To these parties alone, whose names will hereafter appear, 
belonged the exclusive right to all the land in the south half 
of this town, as aforesaid. 

Thus their minister (as was the custom then to be settled 
with his people, and be their religious teacher during his 
natural life) was to be received into the company of the 
founders of the town; and, as he was to participate in their 
sorrows and joys, he was also to be as one of them, and par¬ 
ticipate in the advantages to be derived from their large 
domain. 

A committee of seven, Joseph Griggs, John Chandler, 
Senior; Edward Morris, Senior ; Samuel Craft, Henry Bowen, 
Samuel Scarborough, and Jonathan Smithers were selected to 
locate the house lots of these first planters. 

These were to be drawn for by lot, there being no prefer¬ 
ence to be given, but each to take his chance for success in 
the drawing for his future homestead. And it was agreed that 
any changes or dissatisfaction in the locations which fell to 


WOODSTOCK. 

the several proprietors, were to be referred to this committee 
for adjustment. 

The lots having been all located and made known to the 
planters, and the preparations made for drawing and settling 
this important question, 

‘ ‘ Then, after solemn prayer to God, who is the disposer of all things, 
they draw lots for their homesteads, according to the aforesaid agree¬ 
ment; every one being satisfied and contented.” 

This arrangement appears to have been managed with 
much wisdom and propriety for sustaining peace and har¬ 
mony in the new and wilderness plantation, then far removed 
from the abode of civilization. 

This meeting of these hardy pioneers in the distant wilder¬ 
ness, kneeling and uniting in solemn prayer, supplicating 
Divine favor upon this important act of theirs, the selection 
of a future home for themselves and their families, where in 
health and in sickness, prosperity or adversity, they were to 
continue the remainder of their lives, was, doubtless, regarded 
by them, as it well might be, a sacred discharge of duty. 

It would be an interesting sight to witness such a homely, 
but solemn meeting of these men, and an interesting subject 
for the pencil of the artist. This meeting, however, was but a 
sample of the strong religious feeling that pervaded all the 
acts of the early Puritans of New .England. 

All the first planters who founded the town of Woodstock, 
except four, Peter Aspinwall, James Corbin, John Butcher, 
and John Holmes, were from the town of Boxbury, and mem¬ 
bers of the parish and church of the Bev. John Eliot, the first 
minister of Boxbury. They, no doubt, were partakers of his 
devotion and zeal in the cause of religion; and from this 
beginning is derived the religious sentiment which has since 
strongly characterized the people of this ancient town. 

The lots were drawn by each of the proprietors according 
to the number set against their names, as follows: 


WOODSTOCK. 


279 


Thomas Bacon and 
Joseph Bacon 
“ 2 James Corbin 
“ 3 The Minister’s 
“ 4 Benjamin Sabin 
“ 5 Henry Bowen 
“ 6 Thomas Lyon 
‘ ‘ 7 Ebenezer Morris 
‘ ‘ 8 Mathew Davis 
“ 9 William Lyon 

John Chandler, Sr. 
and Ebenezer Cass 
“ 11 Peter Aspinwall 
“12 John Frizell 
“ 13 Joseph Frizell 
“ 14 Jonathan Smithers 
“ 15 John Butcher 
“ 16 Jonathan Davis 
“ 17 Jonathan Peak 
“ 18 Nathaniel Gary 
“ 19 John Bowen 
“ 20 Nathaniel Johnson 
“ 21 John Hubbard 
“ 22 George Griggs 


Lot 23 Benjamin Griggs 
“ 24 William Lyon, Jr. 

“ 25 John Levens 
“ 26 Nathaniel Sawyer 
“ 27 Samuel Scarborough 
“ 28 Samuel Craft 
“ 29 Samuel May 
“ 30 Joseph Buggies 
“ 31 John Peacock 
‘ ‘ 32 Arthur Humphrey 
“ 33JohnBugbee 
“ 34 John Buggies 
“ 35 Andrew Watkins 
“ 36 John Marcy 
“ 37 Edward Morris 
“ 38 Joseph Peake 
“ 39 John Holmes 
“ 40 John Chandler, Jr. 

“ 41 William Bartholomew 
“ 42 Isaac Bartholomew 

Clemont Corbin and 
Joseph Deming 
‘ ‘ 44 Samuel Bice. ” 


A reservation had been made when laying out these lots, 
for a common burying-ground, a location for their meeting¬ 
house, and of a quarry for hearth and building stones. And 
as the records state, 


“ And to them who were in possession in May, 1687, and undertook 
to fulfill the conditions of the court’s grant, belonged the sole propriety 
of one half of the grant, as per the agreement with the town of Box- 
bury.” 

The lots forty-three and forty-four for Corbin and Deming, 
and Samuel Rice, granted the 7th of January, 1688, it is not 
certain that they had rights in the proprietary land; it may 
have been granted to them, but there is no record of such a 
transaction, that has been seen. A committee, consisting of 


280 


WOODSTOCK. 


Edward Morris, John Chandler, Senior, Nathaniel Johnson, 
and Joseph White, were appointed, April 27, 1686, 

‘ 1 For contracting with William Bartholomew, of Bramford, to build a 
corn-mill. Each planter to bear his proportion of the cost, according 
to the value of his home lot. By contract, this mill was to be located 
on the falls of the brook from Muddy Brook Pond, now Harrisville, and 
‘ to supply the town with grinding good meal, free from grit, as is 
ground by other mills.’ 

“ The committee to furnish the place for the mill, with the benefit of 
the water, and to give Mr. Bartholomew a fifteen-acre house lot, thirty 
acres right of meadow, and fifteen acres right of upland, and, in addition, 
100 acres of upland.” 

This last hundred acres, 'being mentioned additional, and not 
the words “ with rights,” it is presumed it did not carry with 
it a proportional right in the division of the proprietary lands. 
William Bartholomew, no doubt, was regarded as an enter¬ 
prising and useful inhabitant, from the fact that at a planters’ 
meeting, September 29, 1687, it was voted, 

“ That Wm. Bartholomew shall have twenty acres of land in addition 
to the foregoing, if he will bring his wife and settle there before the 
next June.” 

The increase of the inhabitants made it necessary to lay out 
further roads, as is seen by the action of the town in March, 
1688. The committee appointed for this purpose were Edward 
Morris, John Chandler, William Bartholomew, Joseph Bug- 
bee, Benjamin Lubin, John Butcher, and Samuel Bice. This 
Mr. Bice was admitted to the plantation, and received a lot, 
January 7, 1688. 

It is presumed that Mr. William Bartholomew had com¬ 
plied with the desire of the inhabitants, and had secured 
the twenty acres of land offered him, on condition that he 
bring his wife, and that this lady was now one of the good 
dames of Woodstock. 

Mr. William Bartholomew soon became a conspicuous man 
in the plantation. 


WOODSTOClt. 


281 

Those Puritan fathers paid a proper regard to their minis¬ 
ter. It appears by the records that on the 27th of October, 
1690, a committee was appointed to build him a house ; these 
men were William Bartholomew, Nathaniel Johnson, and 
Benjamin Sabin, who were instructed to build the house forty 
feet long by nineteen feet wide, and fourteen feet stud, with 
a cellar seventeen feet square, and to have four stacks of 
chimneys and gables. This house was to be erected, covered 
in, and one end finished by May, 1692. The other end as 
soon as they could conveniently. They were to let out the 
work, and superintend its finishing. 

For the payment of the cost of this house a tax levy was 
authorized and levied upon the home lots of all the proprie¬ 
tors, and the constable directed to collect the same. 

The support of the minister at this period, and the building 
the ministerial house and the meeting-house, throughout New 
England, except perhaps, Bliode Island, was legally the busi¬ 
ness and duty of all towns. Taxes for these objects were 
assessed upon the polls and estates of the inhabitants the same 
as for schools and other town charges. 

The tax levies at this time in Woodstock were laid upon 
the house lots, for the reason that this was the only improved 
or taxable estate, as wild lands in Massachusetts at this period 
were by law not taxable. 

Moneyed capital or mechanical business did not exist here 
now, except the common blacksmith, house-carpenter, wheel¬ 
wright, and plough-maker—sufficient for conducting the busi¬ 
ness of an agricultural community. 

The hand-cards, the spinning-wheel, and the hand-loom, 
were the domestic arrangement in the female department. 

It is scarcely possible to realize that the vast establishments 
conducted by steam and water power for the manufacture of 
wool and cotton are of so recent origin. Not until about the 
time of the American Revolution was this system first intro- 


282 


Woodstock. 


duced into England, and about twenty years later it was first 
introduced by Samuel Slater into the United States.* 

The importance of attending public political meetings, and 
punctuality in the opinion of the good people of this town, is 
sufficiently shown by a vote at a meeting held on the 27th of 
November, 1690: 

‘ ‘ That every person neglecting to attend town meeting shall pay a 
fine of Is. 6d., and sixpence for not appearing at the time appointed, 
and an additional sixpence for every hour of absence from the meeting 
afterward.” 


This meeting of November 27, 1690, was their first town 
meeting after the town received the name of Woodstock; 
and, at this meeting, it made its first organization of town 
officers. 

The business of the plantation of a public nature up to 
this time had been transacted by the selection of special com¬ 
mittees for the performance of duties assigned to them. 

The town organization was as follows: 


“ Town Clerk, John Chandler, Junior. 

John Chandler, Senior. 

William Bartholomew, 

“Selectmen, Benjamin Sabin, 

John Levens, 

Joseph Bugbee, 
f Jonathan Peak, 

‘ ‘ Assessors, Matthew Davis, 

^ Samuel Rice. 

“Also requested and procured John Chandler, Junior, to instruct 
children and youth to read, write, and cipher.f It was agreed at this 


* The first jenny for spinning cotton was invented by Hargreaves in 1767; the water- 
frame by Arkwright in 1769; the power-loom by Rev. D. E. Cartwright in 1785; the dress¬ 
ing-machine by Johnson and Radcliffe in 1804; another by Horrocks, 1813; mule-spinning 
by Samuel Crompton in 1779; and the self-acting mule by Roberts in 1825. Steam-power 
first applied as a motor in manufacturing by Boulton and Watt in 1785; bleaching by means 
of chloride of lime introduced by Tenant, of Glasgow, in 1798; water-power cotton-spinning 
first introduced into the United States by Mr. Slater in 1790; and the power-loom first 
operated in this country at Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1814. 

t This request for schooling is the first movement seen on record at Woodstock, for edu¬ 
cating their children, 1690. 




Woodstock. 283 

meeting that in future the time for the election of town officers should 
be the last Monday in November, annually. 

‘ ‘ Each planter was now ordered to bring in for record the ear-mark 
for distinguishing his cattle. A large part of their lands lying as com¬ 
mon lands, the cattle of the plantation herded together; the ear-mark 
being necessary to show the ownership of the cattle by different 
planters. ” 

Another vote passed at this meeting shows the care and 
prudence the first planters manifested for the protection of 
their dwelling-honses and other buildings. 

Every planter was required to procure a ladder for his 
house by the 1st of February, 1691, or suffer a penalty of 
five shillings ; and Jonathan Peak was directed to see that 
this was done. 

This custom of procuring ladders for dwelling-houses, to 
run from the ground to the top of the roof of each house, 
to be ready for use in case of fire, prevailed in New England 
generally, until the system of insurance was adopted. For¬ 
merly the ladder and a few spare buckets were the chief 
means relied on for extinguishing fires, and where loss 
was sustained by fire the only relief was the generosity of 
neighbors. 

It became a pretty general custom for neighbors to join in 
procuring material and labor to rebuild and provide for such 
misfortunes. 

This custom continued to a quite recent date, to about 1825 
to 1830 ; but when insurance companies became general, and 
there was opportunity for every owner of property perishable 
by fire to provide against such loss at a moderate cost, it soon 
was regarded as a duty each party owed to himself; and, as 
people generally availed themselves of the opportunity, and 
kept their property insured, the custom of private contribu¬ 
tion ceased, and the party who neglected to insure, and lost 
his property, was soon regarded as justly punished for negli¬ 
gence, and not an object for contribution. 


284 


WOODSTOCK. 


It can scarcely be realized that the well-regulated system 
of insurance by joint-stock companies, governed by wise stat¬ 
ute enactments for both the insurer and insured, is of so recent 
origin. 

The first system of insurance to provide against fire or ma¬ 
rine disaster was by individual agreement. The sum or 
amount to be protected by insurance was fully stated and 
explained in writing, setting forth the risk either by fire or 
water, when -persons of known capital would assume a stipu¬ 
lated amount of the property at such risk, by undersigning 
the agreement and stating against their name the sum assured, 
with the rate that was agreed upon, which rate was paid at 
the time the risk was taken. From this custom of under 
W-iting and assuming such risks originated the name “ Under¬ 
writers” which is now frequently applied to persons engaged 
in the business of insurance. 

Insurance on ships and cargoes, it is said, had its origin 
with the Homans, A- H-, 43, and was in general use in com¬ 
mercial towns in Italy, in 1194; and, to some extent, in Eng¬ 
land, in 1560. 

The first law in England regulating insurance was enacted 
near the close of the reign of Queen Elizabeth in 1601; but 
insurance upon houses did not begin in London until after the 
great fire of 1667. Then it was only by underwriters. 

The first insurance company in London was established 
in 1696, and styled the u Hand-in-Hand From this name 
has arisen the custom of denoting insurance by the sign of 
two hands clasped together, in token of mutual aid and friend¬ 
ship, which sign is now frequently seen on insurance signs, or 
cards, or emblems placed on houses that are insured. It will 
be noticed that this vote in Woodstock, November 27, 1690, 
for procuring ladders, was six years before the first insurance 
company was established in London. 

It was their custom to acknowledge their dependence on 


WOODSTOCK. 


285 


God, and to ask the Divine blessing upon all their doings ; 
their town and other meetings were opened by prayer. This 
custom was also general in New England at this period, and 
continued to a quite recent time. Also it was their custom, 
after the choice of moderator and town clerk, to have the Riot 
act read before the meeting, and likewise the statute enact¬ 
ment against immorality, profanity, and intemperance. 

There were some apparent inconsistencies with these devout 
Puritans. It has been noticed that at one of thedr town meet¬ 
ings, after reading the law against intemperance, a vote was 
passed ordering the purchase of eight shillings’ worth of drink 
at the expense of the town.* 

These good people of Woodstock, having the previous year 
provided a house for their minister, they now, in 1691 , called 
a town meeting to take measures for building a meeting-house. 

Four citizens were selected for its superintendence : Edward 
Morris, Jonathan Peak, John Levens, and John Chandler, 
Junior. The dimensions of this house were thirty feet long 
by twenty-four feet wide, with fourteen feet stud. 

It is traditionary that these pioneers, prior to the erecting 
this first house for religious worship, held their meetings in a 
hickory-grove in their neighborhood during summer, seated 
upon the rocks under the branches of the trees It was their 


* There were no total abstinence societies among the Puritans; but, on the contrary, the 
moderate use of spirituous liquors was habitual in those days. 

In October, 1730, there appears a vote on the records of the town of Mendon, directing 
the purchase of a barrel of rum for the use of the company that were to raise the meeting¬ 
house. 

There was much opposition to the building of this meeting-house at Mendon, and, as ap¬ 
pears, some party of the opposition, aft r the new meeting-house had been raised, under¬ 
took to cut off one of the corner parts, but, for some reason, left the job unfinished. The 
town took notice of this act as follows : August 21, 1731 —Voted : “ To see whether the town 
will choose a committee to find out who hath damnified the meeting-house by cutting one of 
the posts.” The vote was in the negative. 

Mr. Barber relates in his historical collections, published in 1840, that the work of cutting 
the post was still to be seen in their present old meeting-house. 

The present ideas regarding the use of spirituous liquors, as a beverage, did not com¬ 
mence to operate upon public sentiment until about 1830, although the evil effects of their 
use had been regarded by many persons with much concern, for the general welfare of the 
people much earlier. - . ,. v u *• 



286 


WOODSTOCK. 


custom, at this.early period, to keep sentinels to watch the 
length and breadth of the Plain Hill, and, descending to the 
valleys on either side through the night, to notice any intru¬ 
sion by either brute, or more brutish savage, that at this time 
not ^infrequently lurked about their isolated homes in the 
neighboring forests; but, fortunately, they escaped from any 
disaster of this kind, while their neighbor plantation at Ox¬ 
ford suffered severely and was broken up by them. 

In this small, first meeting-house, the devout settlers of 
Woodstock, as also those of the grant for Pomfret, up to the 
year 1715 (that town had no religious society until that year), 
came from all parts of the settlement to the Plain Hill, to 
unite in their religious worship. 

The Puritans at this time did not permit any diversity of 
religious faith ; as set forth in all grants for towns, it was 
imperative that they should settle among them and maintain 
(as then styled) a learned, orthodox, godly minister, com¬ 
monly called, “ of the standing order” The people, as now, 
were not troubled with selecting a denomination preacher to 
suit their own ideas of religious faith ; this exercise of thought 
was provided for by legislative enactments. The ideas of the 
elder Dudley then prevailed: 

‘ ‘ Let men of God in courts and churches watch, 

O’er such as do a toleration hatch; 

Lest that ill egg bring forth a cockatrice, 

To poison all with heresy and vice.” 

The workmanship of these early church structures was of the 
most plain and simple character; the outside covered in with 
plai-n, inclosing boards, and seldom any interior finish upon 
the walls, neither with plaster nor other ceilings. 

The storms of winter not unfrequently brought drifts of 
snow through the coarsely finished exterior. There were but 
few, if any, of the nicely arranged works for convenience or 
comfort in those old meeting-houses. 


WOODSTOCK. 


287 


Scarcely even a fire-place, or any preparation for warming, 
except the hot brick or foot-stove. The plain, smooth, hoard 
seat answered the place of the easy cushion prepared by their 
descendants. 

Constant attendance of all, unless in sickness, was expected 
and insisted upon, even in the coldest and most severe weather. 
Their prayers and sermons were not short, like those in fashion 
in many modern churches, but consumed hours in discussing 
hard and knotty questions in theology. 

The poetic description of these old houses and church¬ 
goers, given by Mrs. Seba Smith , comes quite appropriate 
here : 

“ They are all passing from the land, 

Those churches, old and gray, 

In which our fathers used to stand, 

In years gone by, to pray— 

They never knelt, those stern old men, 

Who worship’d at our altars then. 

“ No, all that e’en the semblance bore 
Of popedom on its face, 

Our fathers, as the men of yore, 

Spurn’d from the holy place— 

They bow’d the heart alone in prayer, 

And worship’d God thus sternly there. 

1 ‘ Through coarse gray plaster might be seen, 

Oak timbers large and strong, 

And those who reared them must have been 
Stout men when they were young. 

For oft I’ve heard my grandsire speak, 

How men were growing thin and weak. 

“ His heart was twined, I do believe, 

Round every timber there— 

For memory lov’d a web to weave 
Of all the young and fair. 

Who gather’d there with him to pray, 

For many a long, long Sabbath day. 


288 


WOODSTOCK. 


“ I see it all once more; once more 
That lengthen’d prayer I hear— 

I hear the child’s foot kick the door— 

I see the mother’s fear— 

And that long knotty sermon, too, 

My grandfather heard it all quite through. 

“ But as it deeper grew and deep— 

He always used to rise— 

He would not, like the women, sleep— 

But stood with fixed eyes, 

And look’d intent upon the floor, 

To hear each dark point o’er and o’er. 

“ Aye, pull them down, as well you may, 

Those altars stern and old— 

They speak of those long pass’d away, 

Whose ashes now are cold, 

Few, few are now the strong arm’d men 
Who worship’d at our altars then. 

“ Hard thinkers were they, those old men, 

And patient, too, I ween— 

Long words and knotty questions then 
But made our fathers keen. 

I doubt me if their sons would hear 
Such lengthy sermons year by year.” 

The remarks upon the character of the Puritans, by Rev. 
Leonard Bacon, D. D., pastor of the first church in New 
Haven, included in his thirteen historical discourses, published 
in 1889, will not, it is believed, be deemed out of place here, 
while attempting to preserve the acts and memory of some of 
the class included in the remarks referred to, which planted 
this old town: 

“ It is always easy to detract from greatness; for the greatest minds 
are not exempt from infirmity, and the purest and noblest bear some 
stain of human imperfection. Let others find fault with the founders of 
the New England colonies, because they were not more than human; 
be it ours to honor them. 

“ We have no occasion to disparage the wisdom or the virtues of the 
lawgivers of other States; nor need the admirers of Calvert or of Penn 


WOODSTOCK. 


289 


detract from the wisdom, the valor, or the devotion of the fathers of 
New England. 

“ Not to Winthrop and Cotton, nor to Eaton or Davenport, nor yet 
to Bradford and Brewster, belongs the glory of demonstrating with how 
little government society can be kept together, and men’s lives and 
property be safe from violence.” 

‘ ‘ That glory belongs to Roger Williams; and to him belongs also the 
better glory of striking out and maintaining, with the enthusiasm though 
not without something of the extravagance of genius, the great concep¬ 
tion of a perfect religious liberty. 

“New England has learned to honor the name of Roger Williams, as 
one of the most illustrious in her records; and his principles of unlim¬ 
ited religious freedom are now incorporated into the being of all her 
commonwealths. 

‘ ‘ To Penn belongs the glory of having first opened in this land a free 
and broad asylum for men of every faith and every lineage. To him 
due honor is conceded; and America, still receiving into her broad¬ 
armed ports, and enrolling among her own citizens, the thousands that 
come, not only from the British Isles, but from the Alps, and 1 from the 
Rhine, and from the bloody soil of Poland, glories in his spreading 
renown. 

“ What, then, do we claim for the Pilgrims of Plymouth, what for 
the stern old Puritans of the Bay and of Connecticut, what for the 
founders of New Haven ? Nothing, but that you look with candor on 
what they have done for their posterity and for the world. Their 
labors, their principles, their institutions have made New England, with 
its hard soil and its cold long winters, the glory of all lands. 

“The thousand towns and villages; the decent sanctuaries, not for 
show but use, crowning the hill-tops or peering out from the valleys; 
the means of education accessible to every family; the universal diffu¬ 
sion of knowledge; the order and thrift; the general activity and enter¬ 
prise; the unparalleled equality in the distribution of property; the 
general happiness resulting from the diffusion of education and of pure 
religious doctrine; the safety in which more than half the population 
sleep nightly with unbolted doors; the calm, holy Sabbath, when mute 
nature in the general silence becomes vocal with praise, when the whis¬ 
per of the breeze seems more distinct, the distant water-fall louder and 
more musical, the carol of the morning birds clearer and sweeter—this 
is New England; and where will you find the like, save where you find 
the operation of New England principles and New England influence ? 

“ This is the worth of our fathers and ancient lawgivers. 

“They came here, not with new theories of government from the 
laboratories of political alchemists, not to try wild experiments upon 
human nature, but only to found a new empire for God, for truth, for 
20 


290 


WOODSTOCK. 


virtue, for freedom guarded and bounded by justice. To have failed in 
such an attempt had been glorious. Their glory is that they succeeded. 

‘ ‘ In founding this commonwealth, their highest aim was the glory of 
God in the common welfare of all. Never before, save when God 
brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, had any government been 
instituted with such an aim. 

“They had no model before them, and no guidance save the princi¬ 
ples of truth and righteousness embodied in the word of God, and the 
wisdom which he giveth liberally to them that ask him. 

“ They thought that their end, the common welfare of all, was to be 
secured by founding pure and free churches, by providing the means of 
universal education, and by laws maintaining perfect justice, which is 
the only perfect liberty. All will acknowledge that their labors were 
not in vain.” 

No town in New England exhibited stronger proofs of 
Puritan origin than the people of Woodstock. Their severe 
ideas of religious observances, the holy keeping of the Sab¬ 
bath, their provisions for the education of their children, their 
great industry and frugality, were nowhere exceeded. 

They had heard their fathers, the founders of Boston, 
Boxbury, and that vicinity, tell the story of the trials which 
determined them to exile themselves to this inhospitable 
country, then the abode of a savage race; their hardships 
encountered in establishing their new homes; the declared 
object in this severe undertaking; and in emulation of the 
same spirit, these pioneer settlers fearlessly and cheerfully 
went forth to found this town; to continue the work so wisely 
and piously begun, and transmitted to their hands ; and their 
sons have not proved unworthy children of such devout sires. 

By the commencement of the year 1692, these planters had 
entered an unbroken forest and completed all the usual 
arrangements for a well organized town, established suitable 
roads, built a house for their minister, a house for public 
religious worship, and provided schooling for their children. 
And besides erecting houses for their families, subduing 
the forests, and preparing their tillage lands for producing 
sustenance for their families and the domestic animals of the 


WOODSTOCK. 


291 


plantation, they had erected a corn-mill for their common 
benefit; all this the efforts of the first five years at this 
place. 

They had a government of their own, with the usual neces¬ 
sary municipal regulations customary in New England towns. 

Their enterprise partook of the energy and untiring zeal of 
their former beloved pastor at Roxbury; it bears evidence 
that they had profited by his example; they no doubt felt 
their indebtedness to him for his knowledge of this country, 
which led them to seek it for their future habitation upon his 
representations of its richness and beauty. 

As has before been mentioned, a settlement of all money 
transactions existing between them was closed by the joint 
action of Roxbury and Woodstock in a receipt for the balance 
due the latter town, given to their agent, Josiah Chapin, dated 
u April 5, 1696;” but a separation of the north and south 
half was not accurately defined by an established line run by 
joint commissioners, until March, 1707. 

By the running of this partition fine in 1707, it appears 
that all business interests closed between Woodstock and the 
mother town; and by the closing division of lands in the north 
half of Woodstock by commissioners duly appointed by Rox¬ 
bury in 1711, all her interest as a town in the lands of Wood- 
stock ceased, and henceforth she had no more interest there, 
except as matter of friendship for her former townsmen who 
had made Woodstock their future homes, than with other 
towns in the province. 

The proprietary interest continued a distinct matter from 
that of the political affairs of this town for many years. 

These proprietors’ records begin with the foundation of the 
town, and were not closed until a quite recent date, the last 
entry in their books being the record of the receipt of five 
dollars paid by Stephen Johnson to Darius Barlow, dated, 
“ March 10, 1824.” All the lands in the north half became 


292 


WOODSTOCK. 


individual property after the closing division by the town of 
Roxbury in 1711, while some part of the lands in the south 
half remained many years under the joint management of 
proprietors, and were either sold to new-comers or divided, 
according as there was a demand for them at different times, 
among the original proprietors or their descendants. The 
foregoing historical facts are taken either from the records 
of Roxbury or Woodstock; the first are well preserved by 
new transcripts, and it is hoped that Woodstock will, 
before too late, follow the commendable example of the 
mother town. 

Woodstock maintained from its commencement an uninter¬ 
rupted progress, unlike most of the settlements in the early 
New England towns, many of which were wholly broken up, 
and their labors made useless or greatly injured by the depre¬ 
dations of the Indians. Although the great Indian war of 
Philip, the Wampanoog, had the effect to destroy all the 
principal native nationalities in New 1 England, in 1675-’76, 
except the Abenakis, or what was known as the Tarrantines of 
Maine and its vicinity, yet whenever war prevailed between 
England and France in Europe it soon extended to their 
American colonies, when each drew the interior native race 
to their aid. The New England settlements were not free 
from the deadly attacks of the Canadian Indians, until the 
colonial dominion of France ceased to exist in North America, 
as per treaty of 1763.* 


* These wars continued through a period of seventy years. : 

First. King William’s war commenced in 1688, and closed by the treaty of Ryswick, in 
Europe, in 1697, but continued in America till 1698. 

Second. Queen Anne's war began in 1702, and closed by the treaty of Utrecht, July 
13, 3713. 

Third. Lovell’s war, in Maine and New Hampshire mostly, began July 25, 1722, and 
closed December 15, 1725. 

Fourth. The French and Spanish war began in 1745; the capture of Cape Breton was 
made, with the fortress of Louisburg, in this war; it was closed by the treaty of Aix-la- 
Chapelle, October 18, 1748. 

Fifth. The great French war in America began in 1754, and lost to France all her colo¬ 
nies in North America; and was closed by the treaty of Paris, February 10,1763. 



CHAPTER II. 


HOW WOODSTOCK BECAME A TOWN IN CONNECTICUT, AND SOME 
INCIDENTS OF SUBSEQUENT HISTORY. 


fJTEIE town of Woodstock was changed in its colonial juris¬ 
diction, from Massachusetts to Connecticut by a change 
of the location of the boundary line between these colonies. 


This location of the division line was an unhappy difference 
of views between the parties through a period of over seventy 
years. 

The first boundary line on the south side of the colony of 
Massachusetts, known for many years as the “Woodward and 
Safery Line,” was run in 1642, about twenty years before Con¬ 
necticut received her charter. Previous to this time that 
colony had claimed its rights, but doubtfully, under the old 
charter (so-called) by Robert, Earl of Warwick, of March 19, 
1631, through the transfer of Fort Say brook and other prop¬ 
erty improvements, under the agreement made with Colonel 
George Fenwick in 1644. 

Many ineffectual attempts at different times through this 
long period had been made for the amicable adjustment of this 
line, but it was not accomplished until 1713; and then by an 
arbitrary line made by an agreement entered into, July 13, of 
that year. 

By the running of this line it was ascertained that the 
Woodward and Safery line was erroneous ; being from six to 
seven miles too far south; when, the territory of Woodstock, 
heretofore supposed to be within the charter of Massachusetts, 
proved to be fully seven eighths with in the charter of Connec¬ 
ticut procured by Governor John Winthrop, Junior, from 


294 


WOODSTOCK. 


Charles II, April 20, 1662. But nevertheless, by the agree¬ 
ment entered into by the commissioners mutually chosen for 
the purpose of running this line, the town of Woodstock, also 
two other towns bordering on Connecticut river, Suffield and 
Enfield, both also found to be south of this new line, were to 
remain as Massachusetts towns, and to be under the political 
jurisdiction of that colony ; but for so much of their territory 
as by survey of the same should be found south of said line of 
1713, Connecticut was to receive an equivalent number of 
acres, to be taken from any unappropriated lands in the prov¬ 
ince of Massachusetts, to be selected by the commissioners 
appointed by Connecticut for that purpose. 

This line was established under said agreement, and Massa¬ 
chusetts appropriated 107,793 acres of land for these towns, 
as an equivalent number of acres, for the land in the same and 
some other grants made by Massachusetts to individuals, that 
were also found to be south of said new line; and Connecti¬ 
cut received the same and appropriated them to her use ; thus 
making an amicable, and at the time a satisfactory, settlement 
of this difficult and long-contested question.* 

Woodstock did not object (so far as has been noticed in her 
records) to remain a part of Massachusetts. It is believed 
that her inhabitants, feeling satisfied with the arrangement 
made by the colonies for establishing this line, took no action 
in the matter. They were recently from the towns around 
Boston, and their relatives and friends were in that vicinity, 
with whom they were often having intercourse, making it 
appear reasonable for them to prefer a continuance under the 
same jurisdiction from whence they came. 


* This subject, relating to the origin and settlement of the controversy about this boun¬ 
dary line, will be more fully related in the history of the same and other matters between 
these colonies, in another volume. 

See Hutchinson’s history of Massachusetts, vol. n, pp. 183-187. The map of the south 
line of Massachusetts, by Woodward and Safery, inserted here, is believed to be its first 
appearance in print. 



/V o) JtWJrHOOMJ f 7 OJO/tJ 





































































































WOODSTOCK. 


295 


After the settlement of this boundary line this town con¬ 
tinued her political and business relations with Massachusetts 
as formerly, for a period of over thirty years, sent her repre¬ 
sentatives to that court, and paid her proportion of the 
expenses of the government of that province. 

During this period, and before, from the time of its first 
settlement, the progress of Woodstock was continuous and 
substantial, but there was no remarkable incident in her his¬ 
tory beyond the ordinary affairs of a town, until the inhabi¬ 
tants of the west part of its territory applied to he made a 
separate town or precinct. 

The first movement for this object was a request to the 
town in this behalf in 1741, when it was ascertained that the 
popular voice of the inhabitants was against any division. 
The west part still persisted, by a petition to the General 
Court of Massachusetts in 1742, to be set off as aforesaid, 
but were at this time unsuccessful; but, on the 14th of Sep¬ 
tember, 1743, the Legislature of Massachusetts incorporated 
the west part as a separate precinct, by the name of “ The 
West Parish of Woodstock.” 

A division line was run and established between the east 
and west part the 19th of October of the same year by Cap¬ 
tain John May, Jabez Lyon, and Lieut. Daniel Payne, with 
the aid of Captain William Chandler as surveyor. 

This time approaches nearly to the period when the people 
of Woodstock began to think of withdrawing their connection 
from the province of Massachusetts, and placing themselves 
under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. 

It has been asserted as a reason for this desire to change 
their colonial jurisdiction, the excess of taxation in the pro¬ 
vince of Massachusetts at this time over that of Connecticut. 

It is true that Massachusetts had been the most active in 
repelling French and Indian aggressions, ^nd had incurred a 
large debt as the result. In the noted expedition against 


296 


WOODSTOCK, 


Cape Breton, and the capture of the strong fortress of Louis- 
burg, June 16, 1745, that province was the principal actor. 
By the judicious plans of Governor Shirley, executed princi¬ 
pally by Massachusetts troops, under command of General, 
afterwards Sir William Pepperell, this was accomplished; the 
result was the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. 

Yet while this province gained much renown for the heroism 
of her troops, her debt was greatly increased, and much more 
burdensome than that of Connecticut. Of this fact Wood- 
stock, as well as the frugal farmers of Enfield and Suffield, 
were not ignorant. 

And furthermore, at this time, there was no immediate 
expectation of relief, by a discharge of the heavy debt thus 
incurred by its just assumption by Great Britain.* 

Under this state of things, in the year 1747, Woodstock, 


* An agent for Massachusetts, William Bollan, was at this time in England soliciting the 
reimbursement of her large expenditure in this expedition. Mr. Bollan was, by birth, an 
Englishman, and came to New England in 1740; he was an eminent lawyer. He married the 
daughter of Governor Shirley in 1743, who died at the age of twenty-five years. He was 
sent as agent for the province to England in 1745, and had been there two years ; and by 
this delay it began to be l’egarded as doubtful whether Massachusetts would be reimbursed 
for the money thus expended. Her bills of credit, in consequence of this delay, were seri¬ 
ously affected in their value. 

The former value of an ounce of silver was six shillings and ten and a half pence, and 
these bills were now so much depreciated in value that it required sixty shillings to pur¬ 
chase an ounce. It required eleven shillings in this depreciated currency, in 1747, to buy 
one shilling of English exchange. But Mr. Bollan succeeded in obtaining a bill for the 
entire amount of this expenditure: £183,649 2s., 7l£d.. He arrived in Boston, September 
19, 1748, with 653,000 ounces of silver, and ten tons of copper, about the specie value of 
$800,000. The currency debt at this time of depreciated bills of credit was about £2,100,000 
lawful currency, which, at $3,333 per pound, is $6,999,300; about $7,000,000. 

The question now arose as to the application of this specie; the currency debt of the 
colony was now about £2,100,000, and by allowing this entire specie to be applied—£1,980,000, 
at its currency value—left but a small balance—£120,000—of this depreciated money. 
The Legislature finally passed an act for this purpose, which was approved by the gover¬ 
nor. This bill also included an act for the purchase of the balance of this currency as 
above, to be paid during the year 1749. For the future it was established that English bul¬ 
lion should be received for the payment of debts at six shillings and eight pence the ounce, 
and milled dollars at six shillings each. 

This operation in finance paid off all the indebtedness of the province, and relieved the 
people Horn this depreciated currency. And it was further enacted that the bills of credit 
of the other New England colonies should not be received in payment in the business trans¬ 
actions of the province, thus bringing back the trade of Massachusetts to a specie basis. 
There was great opposition at first to reducing the currency to specie; many prophesied 
ruin and bankruptcy in business; but it had the contrary effect: business revived, and all 
were pleased with the result. 



WOODSTOCK. 


297 


with the two other towns before named, began to consult to¬ 
gether and to make efforts for their reception into the colony 
of Connecticut, and under the government which that colony’s 
charter and laws afforded. 

It has been represented by Rev. Benjamin Trumbull, in his 
“ History of Connecticut,” “ that the three towns here referred 
to and affected, as has been stated, by *the line of 1713, were 
opposed to the arrangement which left them in Massachusetts 
as they previously had been, and that they had always con¬ 
tinued to be dissatisfied with this arrangement, and it was a 
matter of great grievance to their inhabitants that they were 
so left in that colony, and this feeling continued until Con¬ 
necticut received and assumed government over them, and 
they were admitted to the civil and religious liberty of the 
other inhabitants of this colony.” 

Mr. Hollister, in his more recent history, has repeated the 
same idea. He says : 

“They were determined to throw off their allegiance to a govern¬ 
ment to which they had been annexed without their consent.” 

But, on the other side, there is the statement of Governor 
Hutchinson, as given in his papers, published in the third 
volume of his “ History of Massachusetts,” from manuscripts, 
by his grandson in 1828, as follows : 

“The inhabitants of these towns thought themselves happy under 
the government of Massachusetts, until they felt a greater proportion of 
burden from charges of the war, than they would have done under 
Connecticut.”* 

Massachusetts continued to tax these towns their propor¬ 
tion of the expense of the provincial government, but it does 


* See Hutchinson’s History of Massachusetts, vol. n, pp. 363 to 396, giving an account of 
tho Spanish and French war, and expedition and capture of Cape Breton; also, the reim¬ 
bursement, etc.; also see Hutchinson, vol. ni, pp. 6, 7, and 8. 

See Trumbull’s History of Connecticut, vol. n, chap. 10; and, see Hollister’s History of 
Connecticut, vol. II, p. 463. 




298 


WOODSTOCK. 


not appear that they ever paid any of such assessments. This 
tax was probably more for the assertion of a right than for 
enforcing the amount of such tax. It is true that Massachu¬ 
setts was much the most populous and powerful province—not 
only in ~New England, but among all the English colonies then 
in America—and continued so until some time after the war 
of the Revolution; but at this time the English government 
manifested much jealousy of her exhibition of power and the 
spirit of republicanism that submitted to no encroachment 
upon her rights.. She was pressing her claim for indemnity 
for the expense of the Cape Breton expedition, and her spirit 
of forbearance at this time was, probably, somewhat caused 
by a recent decision against her by the English crown, in re- 
lation to her north boundary line, for which she felt much 
aggrieved and disappointed.* 

Also, a commission had recently decided adversely to her 


*The several colonies that were expected to furnish quotas of troops for the expedition to 
Cape Breton fell much short of the number required, except Massachusetts. The number 
of men the several colonies voted to furnish were as follows: 


Massachusetts voted, 

3,500 men; 

furnished, 3,250 men. 

New Hampshire “ 

500 

it 

o 

CO 

Connecticut “ 

1,000 

< < 

“ 516 “ 




4,070 

Rhode Island voted, 

300 men; 

sent this number too late, 300 men. 

New York “ 

1,600 

i i 

furnished ten field cannon, no men. 

New Jersey “ 

500 

it 

“ nothing. 

Maryland “ 

300 

ii 

it ii 

Virginia “ 

105 

a 

ii ii 

Pennsylvania “ 

400 

a 

i < ii 


In addition to the 4,070 men furnished, mostly by Massachusetts, there were furnished 
twelve small armed vessels. Of the three largest, two carried twenty guns each, and one 
twenty-four guns. They were commanded by Captain Edward Tyng, who made the heaviest 
armed vessel the flag-ship. 

Commodore Sir Peter Warren, commander of the English naval force in America, de¬ 
clined his aid in this expedition at first, having no special orders from his government; but 
having been ordered afterward, did join with it. The principal credit for the success of 
this enterprise is due to General Sir William Pepperell, Governor Shirley, and the Massa¬ 
chusetts forces. See Hutchinson, vol. n, pp. 364-396; also Minot’s Massachusetts, vol. I, 
pp. 73-83; and vol. i, Mass. Hist. Collections, 1st series, pp. 5-60; and Bancroft’s History 
of United States, vol. in, pp. 457-463. 

See Belknap’s New Hampshire, vol. ii, pp. 101-103. Massachusetts did not obtain near 
so favorable a line against New Hampshire as that colony had previously offered to her. 
This decision was March 5, 1740. 



WOODSTOCK. 


299 


claim for her boundary line against Rhode Island.* She, no 
doubt, felt humiliated by these adverse decisions, and did not 
feel quite safe in pressing any disputed question at this time. 

The smaller colonies of Hew England were not ignorant of 
this state of things, and were disposed to take advantage, by 
attempting to press all points against her, as by her superior 
power she had before been accustomed to assert her rights 
and claims somewhat arbitrarily against them. 

The first town meeting held in Woodstock for etfecting 
this change of jurisdiction was May 7, 1747, at which time 
Colonel Thomas Chandler and Henry Bowen were appointed 
to take charge of the business. 

Another meeting was called on the 8th of June following, 
to hear the report of their committee. It appears that the 
towns of Enfield and Suffield were acting jointly in this mat¬ 
ter, and the committees from the three towns co-operated in 
their efforts. On the 16th of June following another meet¬ 
ing was held, when Colonel Chandler was continued as their 
agent in this affair. 

A joint memorial was now framed by the agents from these 
three towns, and presented to the General Assembly of Con¬ 
necticut, the substance of which was as follows : 

“ That they had, without their consent or ever having been consulted 
in the matter, been put under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts; that, 
as they were within the limits of the royal charter of Connecticut, they 
had a just and legal right to the government and privileges which it 
conferred, and that they were deprived of their rights by that charter; 
that the Legislature had no right to put them under another government, 
but that the charter required that the same protection, government, and 
privileges should be extended to them which were enjoyed by the other 
inhabitants of the colony. For these reasons they prayed to be taken 
under the colony of Connecticut, and to be admitted to the liberty and 
privileges of its other inhabitants.” 

* See S. <3-. Arnold’s History of Rhode Island, vol. n, pp. 130-134. Again Massachusetts 
lost several towns she had claimed as a part of Plymouth colony, granted to her by the char¬ 
ter of William and Mary. This decision was in June, 1741. 

Also, see Hutchinson’s Massachusetts, vol. 11 , pp. 342-348. Here the facts in these cases 
are stated, no doubt very impartially. 



300 


WOODSTOCK. 


The Legislature admitted the principle set forth in the peti¬ 
tion from these towns, and favored the request; and to effect 
this object appointed a committee to unite with a similar 
committee to be appointed by Massachusetts, if that province 
agreed to this mode of adjustment. 

This committee was Jonathan Trumbull, John Bulkley, 
Benjamin Hall, and Captain Roger Wolcott. 

The province of Massachusetts declined to accept the mode 
of adjustment proposed by Connecticut at this time, regarding 
the former adjustment of 1713, as conclusive. They considered 
these three towns, by the agreement of 1713, as towns of that 
province, and that there was no question about the matter to 
settle, and nothing for commissioners to do in the matter of 
jurisdiction. 

Again, in May, 1749, the Assembly of Connecticut, with a 
view to an examination of the correctness of line of 1713, to 
be certain of the true location of these towns, as to the charter 
limits of the two colonies, appointed Jonathan Trumbull, John 
Bulkley, Elisha Williams, and Joseph Fowler, Esq., to join 
like commissioners from the government of Massachusetts to 
ascertain and tix the line ; but should Massachusetts not agree 
or refuse to appoint commissioners, that then the matter should 
be referred to their agent in London, with the direction to lay 
the case before his majesty, and pray that he would appoint 
commissioners for fixing this line. 

The Assembly of Connecticut in October, 1752, passed a 
resolve for accepting these three towns, Woodstock, Suftield, 
and Enfield, and also the town of Somers, which had been 
taken from Enfield in 1726, and called “East Enfield,” and by 
an act of the General Court of Massachusetts, in 1734, incor¬ 
porated as the town of Somers. 

This colony now regarded these four towns as a part of 
their territory, and were determined to hold them, as a right, 
by the limits of their charter. 


WOODSTOCK. 


301 


Under this state of the matter, Connecticut proposed joint 
commissioners to run the boundary line ; but in this proposal 
they had no respect to the settlement of 1713, or the equiva¬ 
lent she had received in lands for the territory in these towns 
that was south of the said line. 

The proposal in this form Massachusetts rejected, but, 
instead of their proposition, made an offer to treat upon ways 
and means in general for preventing a controversy between 
the two governments. 

This course did not answer the purpose of Connecticut: she 
acknowledged the receipt of the equivalent, but urged that 
the inhabitants had an inalienable right to the jurisdiction of 
Connecticut, by charter, which the Legislature of Connecticut 
could not take from them, and which the act of the inhabi¬ 
tants in 1713 could not take from the inhabitants of 1749. 
Upon this pretense Connecticut supported its claim, and kept 
her jurisdiction over these towns. 

Mr. Hutchinson remarks that, 

‘ ‘ It would at least have been decent in the Connecticut Assembly to offer to 
return the equivalent which their predecessors had received. ” 

The Assembly of Connecticut further resolved, 

“ That, as it did not appear that even the agreement between the colony 
of Connecticut and the province of Massachusetts for establishing the 
boundary line of 1713 between these colonies had received the ratifica¬ 
tion of his majesty, so it never ought to receive the royal confirmation: 
and that as the respective governments could not give up, exchange, or 
alter their jurisdictions, so the said agreement of 1713, so far as it res¬ 
pects jurisdiction, is void ;* and therefore this assembly do declare that 
all the said inhabitants who live south of the line fixed by the Massa¬ 
chusetts charter are within, and have a right to the privileges of this 
government, the aforesaid agreement notwithstanding.” 


* See Trumbull’s Connecticut, vol. ii, ]Jp. 295-298; also see Hutchinson’s Massachu¬ 
setts, vol. in, pp. G-8; likewise see Hollister's Connecticut, vol. ii, pp. 463-464; also, the 
Colonial Records of Connecticut and Massachusetts, referring to the adjustment of this 
boundary line. Something respecting the settlement and controversy about this line will 
be given in another place. See Trumbull’s Connecticut, vol. n, 296. 



302 


WOODSTOCK. 


Both colonies applied to the crown to sustain their construc¬ 
tion of right in this unhappy affair between them; but this 
last occurrence happened about the time of the breaking 
out of the last great French and English war in America, and 
immediately following the close of this war came those acts of 
the English Parliament for taxing the American colonies, 
which brought on the war of the Revolution. The absorbing 
interest which these greater objects demanded put aside this 
smaller concern, and these towns, having remained under the 
jurisdiction of Connecticut for over thirty years, when the 
Revolutionary war closed in 1783, it was no doubt deemed best 
by all parties concerned to suffer that matter to rest free from 
further disturbance. It does not appear that there ever was 
a hearing on the question of this boundary line before his 
majesty’s council; and the subsequent independence of these 
colonies and separation from the crown of England closed 
forever (and not to be regretted) that right of appeal. 

The territory of Woodstock, when the grant was made in 
1683, was within the limits of Suffolk county, in Massachu¬ 
setts, but, in the formation of the county of Worcester in 1731, 
it became part of that county; and now, after being accepted 
under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, she had new associa¬ 
tions to form to enter upon her career as a town of that 
colony. 

It now became necessary to conform to the laws and customs 
of Connecticut. To secure what is called the rights of free¬ 
men, it was necessary to conform to a law of that colony 
enacted for that purpose. 

To do this, a town meeting was called, September 12, 
1749, at which time was read publicly the law of the colony 
relating to freemen and the freeman’s oath, by order of 
Andrew Durkey and Ebenezer Payne, constables of the 
town. 

The names of the voters were then called and registered, 


WOODSTOCK. 


303 


as they had administered to them 
James Buckwell, Esq., as follows : 

the freeman’s oath, by 

John May, 

Abram Perrin, 

Caleb Lyon, 

Isaac Johnson, 

Andrew Durkey, 

Edward Ainsworth, 

Joseph Peak, 

Nathan Abbot, 

John Goodall, 

Thomas Fox, 

Edward Morris, 

Nathaniel Sanger, 

Ebenezer Payne, 

John Child, 

Joseph Wright, 

Joseph Williams, 

Benjamin Bugbee, 

Thomas Ormsbee, 

Nathaniel Johnson, 

Thomas Gould, 

John Bishop, 

Benjamin Frissell, 

Ebenezer Corbin, 

Jacob Marscruft, 

Jedediah Morse, 

Henry Child, 

James Ledwidth, 

Ephraim Manning, 

John Hutchins, 

William Child, 

Joseph Abbot, 

John Chaffee, 

Nehemiah May, 

Silas Bowen, 

Nehemiah Lyon, 

Benjamin Roth, 

Ebenezer Phillips, 

Stephen May, 

Jacob Child, 

Joseph Chaffee, 

Nathaniel Child, 

John Peak, 

David Child, 

Jesse Bugbee, 

David Bishop, 

Timothy Hyde, 

Joseph Marcy, 

Ephraim Hutchins, 

Thomas Bacon, Jr., 

David Holmes, 

John Chamberlain, 

Samuel Davis, 

Jacob Lyon, 

Pennel Bowen, 

Caleb May, 

William Chapman, 

Isaac Williams, 

Jonathan Hammond, 

Samuel Child, 

Samuel Harding, 

Ebenezer Smith, Jun., 

Thomas Child, 

Ezra Perrin, 

Benjamin Child, 

Bichard Flynn, 

James Chaffee, 

Ebenezer Smith, 

Amos Morse, 

James Marcy. 


At tlie same meeting Henry Bowen and Colonel Thomas 
Chandler were elected to represent the town in the General 
Assembly of Connecticut, which was to be holden at Hew 
Haven. This was the first representation of Woodstock in 
the General Assembly of that colony. Woodstock was now 
completely annexed, and became part of Windham county. 

In establishing the boundary line, as before stated, in 1713, 
a portion of the northern part of this town remained north 
of this line, within the limits of Massachusetts. This tract 
of her territory ran the whole extent of her north line, 
seven miles in length, as it is about half a mile in breadth, its 
contents being nearly 3,000 acres. So long as this town 
abided by the agreement for establishing this line, and re- 


304 


WOODSTOCK. 


mained in the province of Massachusetts, she retained all 
her original territory, whether north or south of said line ; hut 
in seceding from that colony and uniting with Connecticut, 
on the plea that her territory and jurisdiction belonged to the 
colony in the limits of whose charter it was located, it fol¬ 
lowed, of course, that she could not take with her that por¬ 
tion of her original grant which fell north of said line. 

During the interval of time between the running of this 
boundary line in 1713, and the seceding of Woodstock in 
1749, Massachusetts had granted the territory bordering on 
her north line for other towns: Dudley in 1731, and Stur- 
bridge in 1729 (but not incorporated until 1738); thus the 
south bounds of these two towns being fixed by their grants 
on that town, and the seceding of Woodstock having lost 
to her all that part of her territory north of the colony line, 
that land was not. within the jurisdiction of any town, and 
became simply unappropriated province territory, yet within 
the limits of the county of Worcester. By its middle loca¬ 
tion between Woodstock on the south, and Dudley and Stur- 
bridge on the north, it soon took the name of Middlesex. 

This gore of land continued to be known as Middlesex, from 
1749 to 1794, a period of about forty-five years; when, by 
an act of the Legislature of Massachusetts, on the 25tli of 
June of the latter year it was annexed to Dudley and Stur- 
bridge; so much as lay opposite their south lines was placed 
to each of these towns. 

But when the town of Soutlibridge was incorporated in 
February, 1816, all that part of this gore which had been an¬ 
nexed to Sturbridge, 1,700 rods in length, or about five and 
one third miles long—more than two thirds of the land in said 
gore, and over 2,000 acres, which had formerly been a part of 
Woodstock—now became a part of Soutlibridge, and still con¬ 
tinues a considerable part of her territory. 

The foregoing sketch of history has briefly traced the pro- 


WOODSTOCK. 


305 


gress of this town up to the time it became a part of Connec¬ 
ticut, which is as far as was the original design contemplated 
at the beginning of this work. But as other facts have come 
to the writer, connected both with its general and ecclesiasti¬ 
cal affairs, it is deemed best to add them with a view to their 
preservation in this connection, but more particularly for their 
benefit of others who may desire to write a more connected 
and general history of this ancient and interesting town. 

This town established for itself, through the activity of its 
citizens, a patriotic record during the French war, as well 
as in the great Revolutionary struggle for their liberty and 
independence. 

While it is known that Woodstock was not excelled by any 
of the towns of New England, in the number of soldiers it 
furnished for both the wars above referred to, it is to be 
regretted that the names of these patriotic individuals did not 
find a place on its records. But it is believed that this neglect 
of preserving this roll of honored names is not an exception 
with this town, as it is a rare instance that the names of those 
who served in these wars are found anywhere recorded, except 
in the state departments of the several colonies, and then not 
by towns separately, but in companies and regiments, in 
which they served. The members of these companies and 
regiments are preserved in the adjutant-generals’ departments 
of the several colonies. 

The enlistments for the French war were made through a 
period of seven years, and those for the Revolution, eight years. 
They are to be found connected with many different com¬ 
panies, which formed parts of many regiments. To trace the 
names of these soldiers through these commands to the towns 
from which they enlisted, requires experience with the depart¬ 
ment records, and much time for research. 

It is well known that soon after the breaking out of the 
French war, Israel Putnam, then a farmer of Pomfret, Con- 
21 


306 


WOODSTOCK. 


necticut, was commissioned by that colony, captain, early in 
in the year 1755.* 

He was ordered to raise a company of men to join in a 
regiment with others from Connecticut, to tonn a command 
under Major-General Phineas Lyman. These, with some other 
Hew England troops and forces from Hew York, were to ren¬ 
dezvous on the Hudson river, at the head of boat navigation, 
at the great carrying place, or Fort Lydius,f as then known, 
where Major-General William Johnson was to be commander- 
in-chief, for an expedition, planned to move against Crown 
Point 4 

The chief notoriety of Captain Putnam, previous to this 
war, was his active pursuit, and tracing to her den at Pomfret, 
and killing a slie-wolf, which had destroyed a large number of 
his sheep and goats. 

His bold and adventurous spirit enabled him readily to en- 


* Israel Putnam was born at Salem, Massachusetts, January 7, 1718; married a daughter 
of John Pope, of that town, for his first wife; removed to Pomfret about 1740, and engaged 
in farming. This wife died in 1664. His second wife was a Mrs. Gardiner, who died in 
1777. He died at Brooklyn, Connecticut, May 19, 1790. 

The opening of this war was brought about by a command under Colonel George Wash¬ 
ington. “ On the 27th of May, 1754, at the Great Meadows in the valley of the Kanawha, 
Washington, aided by the Mingo chiefs, made an attack upon a French force under the com¬ 
mand of De Jumonville. Perceiving the French approach, ‘ Fire!’ said Washington, and, 
with his own musket, gave the example. That word of command kindled the world into a 
flame.” It was the signal for wresting from France her dominion in America—a precursor 
of the war of the Revolution, and the freedom and independence of the English colonies 
from Great Britain. —See Bancroft. 

t Fort Lydius took its name from John Henry Lydius, son of Rev. John Lydius, second 
minister of the Dutch Reformed church at Albany. He was born in 1693, and began his 
business career as an Indian trader; resided at Montreal from 1725 to 1730, and there mar¬ 
ried Genevieve Ma«se, of French and Indian lineage, called half-breed. For an interference 
against the Catholic religion, and carrying on some illicit trade with the English colonies, 
he was banished from the Canadas. He was a man of ability, and understood the French 
and English languages, and also could converse with the different tribes of Indians, which 
called him into constant requisition by the English on missions among the Iroquois and 
other Indian natives. Governor Shirley gave him a commission as colonel, and employed 
him as a spy for informing him of the movements of the French, and to negotiate for him 
among the Indians. 

t This movement against Crown Point was part of a general movement against the en¬ 
croachments of the French, arranged at a convention of the governors of the English colo¬ 
nies, which met at Alexandria, Virginia, April 14,1755, General Edward Braddock presiding. 
Three expeditions were planned to move forward at the same time—one by General Brad- 
dock, against Fort Du Quesne; another by Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, against Fort 
Niagara; and a third by Major-General Johnson, as above. 




WOODSTOCK. 


307 


list the complement of men desired for his command. These 
were his personal acquaintances in the towns of Pomfret and 
Woodstock, many from the latter town. This company was 
united with another, under command of Captain Robert Rogers, 
of Dunbarton, New Hampshire, and known as the Rangers, 
whose duty was to scout along the outposts and flanks of the 
enemy, and keep the commander-in-chief informed of their 
plans and movements. 

The chief operations of these Rangers in the year 1755 
were upon the middle ground between the contending forces, 
extending from Fort Lydius and the south end of Lake Saint 
Sacrament,* on the south, and Fort Carillon (since Ticonde- 
roga), on the north, a distance of about thirty miles. 

This range bordered along both sides of what is now known 
as Lake Georgef (a name given by Sir William Johnson), and 
on the east side of the mountain range which separates that 
lake from Lake Champlain and Wood creek. 

On these routes the contending armies marched alternately 
to victory and defeat. Every rod of this pass-way has a his¬ 
tory of its own, connected with deeds of daring and heroic 
adventure. 

The only fayorable result of the three expeditions by the 
English against the French in the year 1755 was the achieve¬ 
ment by Major-General Johnson’s command at Lake George. 
That by General Braddock was a sad disaster—a defeat and 
the loss of the commander-in-chief. The second, under Gov¬ 
ernor Shirley, was fruitless, except the repairs of some forts at 
Oswego and Lake Ontario. Soon after General Johnson ar¬ 
rived at Fort Lydius he planned the enlargement of that fort, 


* This lake was called by the Mohawks, Oujadarakte ; but, in 1646, it was named by the 
Jesuit priest, Father Isaac Jogues, “Lake Saint Sacrament.” See Charlevoix’s History of 
New France, translation, vol. n, pp. 15 and 186. 

t “ I am building a fort at thi3 lake, where no house was ever before built, nor a rod of 
land cleared, which the French call Lake Saint Sacrament; but I have given it the name 
‘ Lake George,’ in honor of his majesty.”—See Sir William Johnson’s letter to the Board of 
Trade, September 3, 1755; Documentary History of New York, vol. n, p. 689. 



308 


WOODSTOCK. 


and left this duty in charge of General Lyman and about 
250 of the Connecticut troops, while he moved, on the 26th 
of August, for Lake George. On his arrival he commenced 
the erection of a fort for the protection of his supplies, and to 
secure a place for a safe retreat should it he necessary. Gen¬ 
eral Lyman, having received re-enforcements, left the carry¬ 
ing place, which he now named “Fort Lyman,” and joined 
General Johnson at Lake George, taking with him all the 
heavy artillery, arriving on the 3d of September. 

On the evening of the 7th Johnson's scouts brought news 
of the near approach of the French and Indians in force, and 
plans were now made to meet them. About 1,000 men 
were sent forward in direction of Fort Lyman on the morn¬ 
ing of the 8th, when, in about two hours, the battle com¬ 
menced. Colonel Ephraim Williams and the great Mohawk 
chief who led this advance force fell early in the engagement, 
a general retreat followed, and soon they all returned to head¬ 
quarters at the lake, and united with the army under the com¬ 
mand of Johnson.* 

A general action now ensued, that continued about four 
hours. The French and their Indian allies were defeated. 
Baron Dieskau, their commander, being severely wounded, fell 
into the hands of the English. With the loss of their princi¬ 
pal officers, the French withdrew, and continued their retreat 
to Fort St. Frederick and to Canada, which closed this cam¬ 
paign on their part. 

The chief commander of provincials (this force being exclu¬ 
sively from Hew England and New York), Major-General 
Johnson,! being severely wounded at the commencement of 


* See Documentary History of New York, vol. n, p. 691. 

t Sir William Johnson, born in the year 1716, in Ireland, came to America in 1736, to 
manage an estate of Admiral Sir Peter Warren, his uncle, and settled in the Mohawk 
country. He married a German girl, Catherine Wisenberg, about 1740. His house was 
located on the south side of the Mohawk river, and known as “ Mount Johnson,” about 
twenty-four miles west of Schenectady. His wife died young, leaving three children. He 





WOODSTOCK. 


309 


tlie general action, retired to his camp, and gave the command 
to Major-General Lyman, who conducted the several attacks 
with great skill and bravery, but was scarcely mentioned by 
the chief commander in his report of this victory. 

General Lyman was anxious to pursue the defeated army, 
but was not permitted by Johnson. But the Rangers, under 
the command ot Captains Putnam and Rogers, continued 
active, and picked oft the enemies’ stragglers, even under 
the range of their guns of Crown Point, then known as St. 
Frederick. 

The chief loss among the officers of the provincials was 
that of Colonel Ephraim Williams,* * who had been distin¬ 
guished for his valor and activity in defending the north¬ 
western frontier of Massachusetts against the incursions of 
the French and Indians during the previous French war. 

General Johnson continued for some time after this engage¬ 
ment at the head of this lake, but performed little service, ex¬ 
cept to build the fort since known as “ Fort William Henry, 
and preparing a way back to the great carrying-place, a dis¬ 
tance of about fourteen miles, and finishing the fort erected 
there bj T General Lyman, which received afterwards the name 
of “ Fort Edward.” 

This French war, which continued seven years, took from 


subsequently took to his house Molly Brant, an Indian girl; they,were never married, but 
he had eight children by her. He, by appointment of the English government, was gen¬ 
eral Indian agent with the Mowhawk tribes. Died, July 11, 1774. 

* Ephraim Williams, born at Newton, Massachusetts, in 1715; killed at the battle of 
Lake George, September 8, 1755. While at Albany, on his way to join this expedition, he 
executed his will, leaving a residuary bequest in lands, and some notes and bonds, to be 
applied to the support of a free school in a township west of Fort Massachusetts. The 
result gave his name to a town now Williamstown, and the establishing there, in 1793, 
Williams college. 

t Fort William Henry was named in honor of William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, son 
of Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales, and grandson of George II. Fort Edward received 
its name in honor of Edward Augustus, Duke of York, and brother of William Henry, 
above. This point was regarded as of great strategic importance; a fort was first erected 
here in 1709 by General Francis Nicholson, and about the year 1740 it was known as the 
fortified house of Lydius, and then, having been strengthened by General Lyman in 1755, 
was called for a time Fort Lyman. 




310 


WOODSTOCK. 


France all her extensive colonial dominion on the continent 
of North America ; and freed the frontier settlements of the 
English colonies from the long-continued depredations of 
the numerous northern Indians, who had been controlled mostly 
by the French and the more wily enemies of the English 
Protestants, the Jesuit priests. 

This war, however, was but a school for provincial officers 
for learning the tactics and strategy of military science; and 
many officers, like Israel Putnam, who had served through this 
war, were well prepared to unite in the greater struggle of the 
Revolution, which was to relieve these colonies from the op¬ 
pressions of the mother country. They watched vigilantly 
the series of encroachments of the English government, and, 
as the crisis came, were inspired with a patriotic devotion to 
the cause of liberty, which led them at once to yield to their 
country’s call, and unite in the fearful strife. 

Woodstock having furnished her full share of men for the 
last French war, was ready to yield to the more severe de¬ 
mands of the Revolution. The records of the town and relig¬ 
ious society exhibit several patriotic resolutions favoring this 
cause. 

As was usual in this exciting time, a committee of corres¬ 
pondence and safety was appointed in 1774, to keep up a 
knowledge of the acts of the General and Colonial govern¬ 
ments, as also that of the neighboring towns. 

The following are the names of those appointed for said 
committee : Captain Elisha Child, Charles C. Chandler, Jede- 
diali Morse, Captain Samuel McClellan, and Nathaniel Child. 
On the news of the battle of Lexington, six military compa¬ 
nies marched from Woodstock to Boston, viz.: Captain Ben¬ 
jamin Lyon, with thirty-five men; Captain Ephraim Manning, 
with twenty-two men ; Lieutenant Mark Elwell, with twenty- 
two men ; Captain Samuel McClellan, with forty-five cavalry¬ 
men, with horses; Captain Daniel Lyon, with twenty-seven 


WOODSTOCK. 


311 


men; and Captain Nathaniel Marcy, with thirty-eight men; 
a total ot 189. The money paid to Woodstock for troops 
furnished on this occasion was £352 13s. 5d., being a larger 
sum than was paid any other town in Connecticut, except 
to the town of Windham. It was represented by Colonel 
Gaylord, of Ashford, in a letter to Captain William Lyon, 
that the troops furnished by Woodstock on this occasion, 
which marched to the relief of Boston, exceeded the number 
sent from any other town in the State. 

The seventh company in the regiment, commanded by 
General Israel Putnam in the battle of Bunker Hill, were men 
from Woodstock, and quite probably some of the men who 
had followed his fortunes through the French war. The 
officers were: captain, Ephraim Manning; first lieutenant, 
Stephen Lyon; second lieutenant, Asa Morris; and ensign, 
William Frizell. 

William Lyon was one of the soldiers that served in the 
French war, and entered the service at the beginning of the 
Revolution. He served for a time as lieutenant in Captain 
Manning’s company while at Cambridge, and continued 
through the war, part of the time commanding a company of 
cavalry in the regiment of Colonel Samuel McClellan. 

Captain Stephen Lyon followed Washington from Cam¬ 
bridge, with his company to Long Island, and thence in the 
retreat to Fort Washington and White Plains. His officers 
were Josiah Child, first lieutenant; John Kimball, second 
lieutenant; and Richard Peabody, ensign. 

Captain William Manning served six years in this war, 
without returning home. His commission was signed by John 
Hancock. He was another who had served in the French war. 

Colonel Samuel McClellan had been an officer in the French 
war and entered the service of the Revolution as captain and 
rose to a colonel, and continued through the greater part of 
the war. He was with his regiment in the army at Rhode 


312 


WOODSTOCK. 


Island, and followed Washington through New York and on 
the heights of Hudson river. It is represented that when 
the government failed to pay his men he advanced from his 
own estate for the relief of his soldiers, £1,000. 

Another Connecticut regiment was commanded by Colonel 
Thomas Chandler of Woodstock. Dr. David Holmes of this 
town was surgeon, and died in the service. Asa Lyon served 
the entire war as lieutenant. Jabez and John Fox, and also 
Samuel Perry, served in the war. 

The foregoing names are but a part of the roll of honor 
that stands to the credit of the town of Woodstock. Several 
of these officers became distinguished for their soldierly qual¬ 
ities and bravery, and there has no record been found to de¬ 
tract from the good character of either officers or soldiers. It 
is much to be regretted that the names of all who served are 
not recorded, that posterity may know who were ready in this 
cause of liberty to sacrifice themselves for the good of their 
country. 

But let it ever be remembered that the result of all this 
sacrifice of time, treasure, military effort, and numerous valua¬ 
ble lives, was the confirmation of that declaration of independ¬ 
ence, made July 4, 1776, which separated the thirteen English 
colonies in America from the government of Great Britain, 
and formed the government of the United States of America, 
which now, after a period of about one century of its exist¬ 
ence, stands as one of the most powerful, most honored, and 
prosperous of any known land ; while the rights and privileges 
conferred upon its inhabitants are more liberal and more 
extensive and as well secured by law as in that of any other 
government in existence. 

That memorable day, the 4th of July, 1776, the most glo¬ 
rious of all the holidays set apart for honor or amusement, 
was appropriately referred to by Daniel Webster in his re¬ 
markable discourse, delivered in Faneuil Hall, Boston, on the 


WOODSTOCK. 


313 


2d of August, 1826, in commemoration of the lives and ser¬ 
vices of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Adams was 
supposed to say: 

‘ ‘ Through the thick gloom of the present I see the brightness of the 
future as the sun in Heaven. We shall make this a glorious, an immor¬ 
tal day. When we are in our graves our children will honor it; they 
will celebrate it with thanksgiving, with festivity, with bonfires, and 
illuminations. On the annual return they will shed tears, copious, gush¬ 
ing tears, but of exultation, of gratitude, and of joy.” 

Thus, as above expressed, that day has been celebrated, and 
has come down to the present time, with increased and increas¬ 
ing honor. And, as has been said by another, 

“The most glorious of days is that of July 4, 1776; and the most 
enthusiastic, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, October 19, 1781; the 
proudest, that of 1789, the first year under Washington as the first 
president under the constitution of the United States of America; the 
most dismal, that of 1861, the first year of the great Rebellion; the 
most impressive, that of 1865, in consequence of the suppression of the 
Rebellion, President Lincoln’s assassination, and the capture of Jeffer¬ 
son Davis; and the grandest, that of 1870, witnessing the abolition of 
slavery in the Southern States, the Union restored, and equal, civil, and 
political rights established as a part of the supreme law of these 
United States.” 

In conclusion, it will be appropriate here to refer to the 
celebration of the 4th of July in this ancient and staid old 
Puritan town in the year 1870—a day long to be remembered 
as one of rare interest to the people in this vicinity. Here¬ 
tofore, when this day had been celebrated here, it was done 
by the gathering of a few townsmen and the inhabitants 
of this neighborhood without exciting anything more than 
the ordinary recollection of the return of the anniversary of 
our country’s birthday; but this year, through the known 
energy of their townsman, Henry C. Bowen, Esq., the day 
was made one of unusual notoriety and interest. 

Early in the season Mr. Bowen had visited the President of 
the United States, and by invitation, had induced him to visit 


314 


WOODSTOCK. 


Woodstock, and unite with its people, and those of the vicinity, 
in celebrating the returning national anniversary at this place, 
on the hill of the old South Parish. 

The President, General U. S. Grant, and other celebrities, 
came by way of Hartford, Providence, and Fislikill Railroad, 
through Willimantic to Plainfield, and thence on the Norwich 
and Worcester Railroad to Putnam, where carriages were in 
readiness to convey the guests to Woodstock. On the way 
from Hartford there was a continued scene of ovation at all 
the towns through which the train passed. 

Accompanying the President were Governor Marshall Jew¬ 
ell, ex-Governor Hawley, and Representative Stout, of Con¬ 
necticut, M. E. Bowen, E. H. Robinson, Generals Pleasanton 
and Woodford, Postmaster Whitaker, Baron Catacazy, Count 
Orloff, Calvin Hay, J. R. Buck, Mr. Bromley, General Harlan, 
of Norwich; Mr. Church, ex-Lieutenant-Governor Avery, 
United States Marshal Carri, Mr. Goodlow, George M. Bar¬ 
tholomew, Professor Northup, the Superintendent of Public 
Schools of the’ State ; Mr. Hubbard, Mr. and Mrs. Sayles, 
Mr. McManus, Superintendent of New London and Northern 
Railroad; Rowland Swift, David Gollop, and Rev. Henry 
Ward Beecher. The company increased as it passed each 
of the towns on the way. 

At Windham Governor Jewell introduced the President 
to Governor Cleveland, who delivered the following address : 

“Mr. President—As chairman of the general committee of reception, 
I have the honor of welcoming you and your distinguished suite within 
the border and to the hospitality of Windham county: a county in whose 
bosom rests the honored dust of Putnam, Lyon, and others who fought 
for a free government in the Revolution, and for its salvation and per¬ 
petuation in the o late war of Rebellion; a county that .has always been 
loyal to the democratic Puritan idea that spake in the Declaration of 
Independence and in the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of our 
country. We recall with pleasure and pride the fact that, for nearly two 
hundred years, Connecticut was the home of your Puritan ancestors. 

“ The people are assembled on this glorious day by tens of thousands 


WOODSTOCK. 


315 


to testify their gratitude to you, sir, for the inestimable services you 
have rendered your country. May God bless you, Mr. President, and 
grant you wisdom and grace to lead this great people on to a still larger 
liberty and a higher civilization. Again, on behalf of our citizens, we 
cordially welcome you and your friends to Windham county.” 


THE PRESIDENT’S REPLY. 

The President replied: 

“I feel under great obligations to the people of Connecticut and 
Windham county for the kind reception they have given me. I have 
met a warm welcome in my entire journey through the State, and I find 
also that Windham county is no exception. I thank you for the recep¬ 
tion, and am glad to be among you.” 

Here Senator Buckingham, Mayor Blackstone, of Norwich, 
and a delegation from Windham county joined in an extra 
car that had been provided. Passing through Danielsonville, 
where the cars stopped for a moment to give the large gath¬ 
ering there a sight of the President, they then moved on to 
Putnam, where the company arrived at ten o’clock, carriages 
being in readiness to convey them about five miles to Wood- 
stock. About fifteen carriages contained the President and 
his company, which were joined in a procession of great 
length by a vast number, making a very unusual exhibit in 
this quiet region. 

The whole procession of carriages was escorted by a large 
cavalcade of citizens, headed by Gilmore’s band, and the Third 
Regiment’s band, of Norwich. 

On arriving at South Woodstock, the Lyon Guards, drawn 
up for the purpose, saluted the President, and wheeled into 
column, taking the advance, when the whole moved on, under 
the direction of the chief marshal of the day and his assist¬ 
ants, through the village to the residence of H. C. Bowen. 
The road from Putnam to Woodstock, the line of the proces¬ 
sion, was on both sides literally packed with men, women, and 
children, from the many towns, near and distant, in this region, 


316 


WOODSTOCK. 


to witness this novel scene to the inhabitants of this inland 
district. 

On the arrival at the Bowen mansion, salutes of cannon, 
tolling of bells, and music by the bands, opened the scene of 
festivities. The Lyon Guards were stationed on the lawn 
around these premises to keep the multitude from encroaching 
upon this, the quarters of the President and his suite, and the 
town’s committee, with such distinguished guests as had been 
invited by the generous host, to do honor to the chief of the 
nation. 

After adjusting their toilets, the President and suite appeared 
in the parlor of the mansion, and met the family and a few 
friends of Mr. Bowen then present, wdiom he presented, as 
follows: Mrs. H. C. Bowen, and three daughters, Mary, 
Grace, and Alice; Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Bowen, U. A. Bowen, 
E. H. Bowen, E. Bowen, Clarence Bowen, Mr. and Mrs. E. 
S. Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, Professor and Mrs. Fiske, 
and daughter, Mr. Plumer, and G. C. Holt. 

The grounds around this mansion, and the park opposite, 
shaded with tine trees, were simply, but elegantly decorated. 
Along the shaded carriage-way, between the grounds of the 
mansion and park, were posted numerous streamers, each con¬ 
taining the name of one of the States of the National Union. 
And a number of flags were also posted about the lawn, each 
bearing the name of one of the distinguished generals of the 
late war of Rebellion. After a brief time spent by the Presi¬ 
dent and party in conversation with the family of Mr. Bowen, 
he and a few select friends were invited to partake of a richly 
prepared lunch. Among these were the following that took 
seats at the table : The President; on his right, Mr. Catacazy ; 
on his left, Henry Ward Beecher, ex-Lieutenant Governor 
Stewart S. Woodford; and the other seats had General Pleas¬ 
anton, Mayor Blackstone, and J. T. Norton, of Norwich; 
Lieutenant-Governor Averill, Mr. Bartell, of Providence; 


WOODSTOCK. 


317 


Governor Jewell, Governor Hawley, General Porter, Secretary 
of tlie President; Governor Buckingham, and Count Orloff. 

At one o’clock tlie Lyons Guard, with music, escorted the 
town committee, the general committee, and distinguished 
guests, to the speakers’ stand on the common. Here an im- 
mence temporary structure had been erected with back-ground 
of tiers of seats ; here the President, and many distinguished 
individuals before named, and others, took seats. 

Cheer upon cheer was given as these persons took their 
places on the platform, the President and principal speakers, 
and his suite in front. 

After this company were seated, Senator Buckingham in¬ 
troduced the chief magistrate of the nation to the multitude 
that covered the grounds, tens of thousands in number, who 
enthusiastically received him with cheers. 

Then, after music by the bands, the Declaration of Inde¬ 
pendence was read, and Mr. Buckingham, with a few brief 
remarks, introduced ex-Governor Woodford, who, according 
to the programme, delivered the principal oration, which was 
able and patriotic, but too lengthy for insertion here. 

After the oration was delivered, Mr. Cleveland read the 
following resolutions: 

“The citizens of Windham county, assembled at Woodstock, on the 
ninety-fourth anniversary of the nation’s independence, make this 
renewed declaration of their political sentiments. 

“ First. We believe that all men are created equal, endowed by their 
Creator with certain inalienable rights, liberty, and the pursuit of hap¬ 
piness, and that to secure these rights governments are instituted among 
men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. 

“ Second. We reflect with profound gratitude to Almighty God upon 
the marvelous progress of our beloved country, upon its increase from 
3,000,000 to 40,000,000; upon its vast expanse of territory; upon its 
growth in wealth, invention, art, science, education, and religion; upon 
its success and glory in war, and its greater love of peace, and upon its 
promise of a yet more glorious future, as the most populous and power¬ 
ful of civilized nations, leading the way towards the perfection of social, 
political, and religious happiness. 


318 


WOODSTOCK. 


“ Third. We rejoice and give thanks for the nation’s salvation from 
the prolonged and awful danger of the great Rebellion; for the emanci¬ 
pation of 4,000,000 slaves; for their elevation to full citizenship; for 
that crowning amendment to the national charter, whereby the Declara¬ 
tion of Independence is made a living, universal reality; and for the 
growing spirit of harmony and fraternity throughout this land. 

44 Fourth. We heartily thank the President of the United States for 
coming to meet us here, and we hasten to assure him of our enthusiastic 
appreciation of his great services, as the glorious, successful leader of 
a million of the soldiers of liberty in the most momentous war in history. 
Ready to ‘ 4 fight it out on that line, ” when war is needed; and we doubly 
honor the great warrior who gives the nation the watch-word, 44 Let us 
have peace.” Observing with cordial satisfaction the fidelity, economy, 
energy, pure patriotism, and statesmanship of his administration, we 
express full confidence in his continued and triumphant success. 

4 4 Fifth. The native county of Putnam and Lyon has had the great 
honor to lay its ready tribute of life and treasure upon the altars of 
liberty from Bunker Hill to the Appomatox. It has never measured its 
share, nor counted the cost when the country’s honor was in question. 
Remembering the sons who gave their lives that the nation might live, 
we here anew dedicate ourselves to the work they so nobly carried on. 
That from those honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause 
which they gave the last full measure of love of country; and we here 
highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain, and that the 
government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not 
perish from the earth. 

44 Sixth. That our sincere and heartfelt thanks are hereby tendered 
to Honorable Henry C. Bowen for his indefatigable labors and great 
liberality in preparing this magnificent demonstration, and for a long 
series of most thoughtful and public-spirited efforts to promote the 
social, educational, and religious interests of this town and county.” 

The reading of these resolutions being concluded, the Rev. 
Henry Ward Beecher was introduced and made a character¬ 
istic speech, overflowing with both wisdom and humorous 
remarks, which caused a great outburst of cheers and good 
feeling. Then followed General Benjamin F. Butler, full of 
pith in most things spoken of. He touched upon the subject 
of foreign emigration, and spoke in favor of all classes, except 
the Chinese, which lie deprecated, and thought some measures 
should be secured to protect the country and its labor from 
this class of immigrants, which he feared would be an evil. 


WOODSTOCK. 


319 


After General Butler sat down Senator Buckingham intro¬ 
duced Governor Hawley, who alluded to the remarks of Gen¬ 
eral Butler, disagreeing with him upon the idea of restricting 
any class of immigration. He said: 

‘ ‘ I don’t know how to go to work to lock the doors of the United 
States. We have done what we could, and stopped American slavery. 
I wish the Chinese had a better education in regard to American insti¬ 
tutions. I wish they could bring with them a better religion; but I 
believe they all can read. With our flag over me, and the New Testa¬ 
ment in my hand, I say, ‘ Let them come. ’ ” He wished they were in better 
condition; but he did not see how he could shut the gates against any 
down-trodden people who wished to flee to the protection of American 
institutions. He said he would occupy the few remaining moments in 
urging on his fellow-citizens the great importance of keeping open the 
gateway of the United States to the free access of all emigrating people. 

He would ever guard our interests against the least approach to the 
slave trade; but could see no injury to any of our useful institutions in 
encouraging industrial emigration to our shores from every part of the 
earth. He would keep the gate open and the stream as pure as possible, 
and let it flow. We must counteract any evil that may threaten us by 
our living examples of good. We must impress a pure and undefiled 
religion on all who may come to us, and if any go back to their own 
lands they will carry to their neighbors the blessings of our free institu- 
tions # . He would not dare to lock the inviting gates of America against 
a suffering world. 

General Butler desired to reply, but the President’s time 
forbade any continuance of the remarks beyond the appointed 
time for the departure of himself and his company; thus, as 
Governor Hawley closed, Mr. Bowen stepped forward and 
said that Mr. Gilmore would now, in honor of the Russian 
minister, perform with his band the “ Russian Hymn.” 

At the conclusion of this performance the Russian minister 
returned his thanks, and spoke of the friendship which had 
existed between Russia and the United States from the earliest 
history of this country: 

“He hoped that friendship would be permanent. In saying this he 
expressed the feelings of 82,000,000 of Russians; and he hoped that 
that feeling would be reciprocated by 40,000,000 of Americans. ” 


320 


WOODSTOCK. 


The exercises closed with the singing of “America” by the 
entire audience, accompanied by Gilmore’s band. 

The presidential party then proceeded in carriages to Thomp¬ 
son Station on Norwich and Worcester Railroad, and took the 
cars for Norwich, where they were entertained by Senator Buck¬ 
ingham, who gave a reception to the President and his friends. 

The following day the President proceeded on his way to 
his family at Long Branch. 

This occasion, no doubt, produced the most memorable and 
exciting day ever witnessed in the history of this town. It 
was but an exhibit of what energy and enterprise, directed by 
skillful hands, can do through the efforts, of one individual. 
This town has great cause to be thankful and proud of a 
native son who so ably and liberally sustains h'dr best interests. 


THE WOODSTOCK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

This society was chartered by the State of Connecticut, on 
the 2d of July, 1861. The first preliminary steps for its 
formation, was a meeting held in the Baptist meeting-house, 
in South Woodstock, November 13, 1858, at one o’clock, p. m., 
when Ezra C. May was made chairman, and George A. Pen- 
niman, clerk. This meeting then elected a committee of six 
gentlemen, all of Woodstock, to frame a -constitution and by¬ 
laws for the government of the society. 

The society embraces all the towns in the county which 
are disposed to unite with this town, and conform to the regu¬ 
lations adopted by the same. 

The first annual meeting was held January 4, 1859, when 
officers were elected as follows: 


President —Ezra Dean, Esq. 


Vice-President — < Ch “‘? r £ hil , d - Wm - R ; A . mold > F - Williams, Jr., 
I E. 8. Bugbee, and Albie Hiscox. 


Corresponding Secretary —J. M. Lyon. 
Recording Secretary —George A. Penniman. 


Treasurer —S. M. Fenner. 


( E. S. Penniman, George A. Paine, George C. Phillips, 
Directors— J Charles D. Smith, Abel Child, 2d; and Alexander 
r Warner. 


WOODSTOCK. 


321 


The first fair was held in September, 1859, and the society 
has held a fair each year since. Their annual meetings for 
election of officers are held in December, besides which two 
or three executive committee meetings are held each year. 

The society receives $100 per annum from the State; the 
other necessary funds are raised by life, annual member¬ 
ships, and by entrance fees. 

The annual exhibitions are attended with increased num¬ 
bers, and proves a successful aid to the great agricultural in¬ 
terest of the county, and a stimulus to many other industrial 
pursuits. It invites honorable competition, promotes the ad¬ 
vantages of the best modes for the cultivation of the soil 
in producing crops, the breeding of cattle and other ani¬ 
mals, and fosters many other branches of industry; it also 
does great good by introducing social habits among the peo¬ 
ple of the several towns connected therewith, increasing their 
general intelligence upon all questions pertaining to their 
various pursuits, which is always the most effective power in 
the accumulation of wealth—verifying the adage that “ know¬ 
ledge is power.” The assembling of numerous bodies of peo¬ 
ple together to compare and consult upon their mutual inter¬ 
ests can not be too much encouraged or too highly commended. 

WOODSTOCK ACADEMY. 

THE CHARTER. 

“At a General Assembly of the State of Connecticut in America, holden 
in Hartford, in said State, on the second Thursday of May, being the 
— day of said month and continued by adjournment from day to day 
until the in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
two. 

“ A resolve incorporating the proprietors of Woodstock Academy in 
Connecticut. 

“ Whereas , John McClellan, an agent appointed by the proprietors of 
Woodstock Academy, in Woodstock, has, by his petition in behalf of 
said proprietors, represented to this Assembly, that an act of incorpora- 
22 


322 


WOODSTOCK. 


tion would be of great use to said proprietors in the management of 
tlieir joint property and other concerns therein, 

“ Resolved by this Assembly, That, Samuel McClellan, Eliplialet Lyman, 
Nehemiah Child, Ebenezer Smith, William Potter, Hezekiah Bugbee, 
Ichabod Marcy, Jesse Bolles, David Holmes and others, who are or here¬ 
after may be proprietors of Woodstock Academy, so called, in Wood- 
stock, be, and hereby are erected and made a body corporate by the 
name and title of the proprietors of Woodstock Acadamy, and by the 
name shall be and hereby are made capable in law, to have, purchase, 
receive, possess and enjoy to them and their successors real and personal 
estate of any kind and quality whatsoever, to the annual amount of 
$3,000, and the same to sell, grant, or alien, to sue and be sued, to plead 
and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in all courts in this State; 
to have and use a common seal, and the same to break, alter, and renew 
at pleasure, and to ordain and carry into effect such by-laws and regu¬ 
lations as shall be deemed necessary or useful for the well ordering and 
governing of the affairs of said corporation, not repugnant to the laws 
of this State or to the constitution and laws of the United States; and 
for the government of said corporation, it is hereby 

“ Resolved , That there shall be five trustees annually appointed by the 
proprietors, which annual meeting shall be at such time as said propri¬ 
etors shall appoint, which trustees shall have power, or a major part of 
them, to choose their chairman, to superintend the affairs of the corpora¬ 
tion, and carry into effect all the by-laws and regulations of the pro¬ 
prietors. 

“And it is further Resolved , That the first meeting of proprietors shall 
be called by any two of their number by giving a verbal or written 
notice to all the other proprietors of the time and place of meeting. 
And to constitute a quorum, twelve shares at least shall be represented; 
and the proprietors shall have power in their meetings to ordain and 
constitute any officers which may be deemed necessary for the well 
ordering of the concerns of the said Academy, and to require of the 
officers such security or annex such pecuniary penalties to a breach of 
trust, as they shall judge reasonable; and the proprietors are hereby 
empowered to make such rules and regulations concerning the mode of 
transferring shares by assignment or otherwise, and to enlarge the number 
of shares as they shall deem expedient; which rules and regulations shall 
be to all intents and purposes valid, and they are empowered to tax 
the several shares in said institution for the purpose of making repairs 
of the buildings or fences, or for furnishing books or apparatus for the 
institution, or for other necessary or useful purposes, as they shall judge 
for the benefit of the corporation; and the sums so assessed shall be col¬ 
lected by warrant and distress, in the manner that the taxes of this 
State may, by law, be collected. 


WOODSTOCK. 


323 


“Provided, that this resolve or any part thereof may be altered, 
amended or repealed at the pleasure of the General Assembly. 

AMENDMENT. 

“ General Assembly, May Session, 1868. Amending the charter of 
the proprietors of Woodstock Academy. 

“ Resolved by this Assembly, That the charter of the proprietors of 
Woodstock Academy, be and hereby is so amended as to allow an 
increase in the number of trustees of said Academy not to exceed thir¬ 
teen in all, and that said trustees shall, upon being duly elected, con¬ 
tinue in office until others are chosen to fill their places. 

“Approved, July 24, 1868.” 

ACADEMY BUILDINGS. 

The first academy structure was erected in 1801, and is at 
the present time of writing standing where it was originally 
located, and by recent expenditures for repairs, is in a condition 
that gives evidence that it may continue a useful building for 
another period equal to that it has already passed through. 

The new academy, now nearly finished, is much larger, and 
of far more imposing appearance. This was commenced in 
1872, and will probably be completed and ready to receive 
the students from the old house by the beginning of the year 
1874. Its dimensions are as follows: one hundred feet in 
length by sixty in depth. The front is south, and has two 
entrance halls, between which is the school-room, forty feet 
square. At the ends of the structure, beyond the halls, and 
opening out of them are four recitation-rooms, two on each 
side; and in the rear are three rooms, for library, laboratory, 
and reception. In the second story is a fine hall, supplied 
with a good stage, adapted for public exhibitions, having ante¬ 
rooms, wardrobes, etc. 

In the third story are rooms for the teachers, and some for 
students. From the tower may be seen an extensive view of 
the country, scarcely equaled for landscape beauty by any 
other place. 


324 


WOODSTOCK, 


LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO ACADEMY BUILDING FUND. 


N. T. Adams, - 

$100 

Nathaniel Beach, 

25 

Davis Blackmar, 

- 25 

Henry C. Bowen, 

- 5,000 

Andrew W. Bowen, 

- 100 

Henry E. Bowen, 

- 200 

Jas. Bracken, 

- 10 

Lucius Briggs, - 

- 100 

David S. Brown, - 

- 75 

Wm. L. Buck, - 

10 

George W. Buck, - 

- 20 

Jno. C. Buck, - 

10 

Alexander Buck, - 

- 50 

William Buxton, 

25 

E. H. Bugbee, 

- 25 

Luther D. Bugbee, 

25 

S. C. Comings, 

- 100 

A. A. Carroll, 

50 

William D. Carroll, 

- 100 

G. W. Clark,, - 

25 

Edwin K. Chamberlain, 

- 10 

Jas. A. Chandler, 

20 

J. F. Chandler, 

- 20 

Albert C. Chandler, - 

25 

William Chandler, 

- 100 

Amasa Chandler, 

- 100 

Elisha Child, - 

- 10 

Roxana L. Child, 

- 300 

Abel Child, 2d, 

- 300 

S. A. Child, 

10 

Jno. H. Child, 

- 25 

James Coldman, - 

25 

S. S. Cotton, - 

- 25 

Wm. E. Davidson, 

- 100 

Ezra Dean, 

- 300 

S. M. Fenner, 

20 

F. W. Flynn, - 

- 20 

Reuben S. Fitts, 

10 

Amelia A. Fisk, 

- 200 

Nathan Fisher, - 

25 

F. M. Fox, 

- 20 


Arthur Mathewson, - - $10 

Caleb Fenner, 10 

A. P. Dennis, - - - 10 

M. Phillips, - - - 100 

Ebenezer Bishop, - - - 10 

O. E. Lombard, - - - 10 

EzraC. Child, - 10 

N. E. Morse, 15 

Nelson Morse, - - - 20 

J. R. Davenport, 20 

D. B. Plimpton, - - -* 10 

E. S. Lyon, - - - 10 

T. A. Capwell, - 10 

Chas. E. Searls, 10 

Ezra D. Carpenter, - - 10 

Ashbury Nichols, - - 10 

Dutee Smith, - - - - 10 

Perry & Brown, 20 

Sabin & Miller, - 50 

T. P. Leonard & Co., 25 

Ebenezer Barrett, - - - 15 

Mary A. Leavitt, ' - 10 

Geo. Chandler, - - - 25 

Wm. H. Ward, 20 

Henry Elliott (N. Y.), - - 25 

M. A. Phillips (N. Y.), - 25 

J. N. Chamberlain (N. Y.), - 50 

Henry C. Penniman, - - 10 

Henry Bennett, - - - 25 

Stone & Fenn, 35 

E. T. Whitmore, - - - 50 

Williams & Stoddard, - 20 

M. Mori arty, - - - - 50 

Jno. C. Chapman, 10 

H. B. Aldrich, - 10 

Chas. D. Holmes, - - 10 

M. G. Leonard, - - - 10 

Hiram N. Brown, 10 

Gilbert C. Robbins, - - 25 

J. H. Gardner, - 5 

J. W. Torry, - - - - 25 



WOODSTOCK. 


325 


List of Subscribers— Continued. 


Lucius S. Fuller, 

- 

$10 

G. W. Phillips, - 

$25 

Allen C. Gordon, - 


- 50 

Harrison Johnson, - 

25 

R. S. Gordon, 

- 

50 

Edgar Clark, - 

20 

Edward B. Harris, Jun., 


- 10 

Wm. B. White, - 

10 

W. H. Harris, 

- 

20 

J. F. Eddy, - 

10 

E. A. Hammond, - 


- 25 

Wm. H. Tourtelotte, - 

10 

Daniel Hibbard, - 

- 

20 

Asahel Batty, - 

10 

Henry W. Hibbard, 


- 20 

J. M. Lyon, - 

10 

Luke Hiscox, 

- 

10 

A. K. Leavens, 

10 

Monroe W. Ide, 


- 20 

C. A. Spalding, - 

10 

Jno. A. Low, 

- 

30 

Edward Fley, - 

10 

Joseph Lyman, 


- 10 

Joseph D. Barrows, 

10 

Asa Lyman, 

- 

30 

Geo. Randall, - 

50 

Henry Lyon, - 


- 75 

Oliver Bowen, - 

50 

Sarah T. Lyon, - 

- 

200 

Edwin W. Sanger, - 

50 

Wm. W. Mathewson, 


- 25 

Fairus Chapman, 

10 

R. S. Mathewson, 

- 

200 

E. G. Harris, - 

10 

Ezra C. May, - 


- 200 

J. L. Arms, - 

25 

Jno. McClellan, - 

- 

300 

D. Underwood, - - 

10 

J. T. Morse, - 


- 50 

Geo. Bradford, - 

10 

Wm. A. Moffitt, - 

- 

25 

Jno. Scarborough, - 

10 

Geo. A. Paine, 


- 400 

Wm. P. Williams, 

10 

Martin Paine, 

- 

10 

Lorenzo Litchfield, 

25 

Jno. F. Parkhurst, 


- 50 

Milton Bradford, 

25 

Amos Palmer, 

- 

10 

N. B. McComber, - 

5 

Samuel Palmer, 


- 30 

Ezra Hammond, - 

5 

Geo. A. Penniman, 

- 

50 

Maria C. and Charles E. Pike, 

20 

Amos Peckham, 


- 100 

George Tucker, - 

10 

J. F. Perry, 

- 

50 

Gilbert W. Shephard, - 

10 

Oliver H. Perry, 


- 100 

S. P. Webster, - 

10 

E. H. Pratt, 

- 

25 

M. S. Morse, - 

100 

Pierpont Phillips, - 


- 50 

Geo. M. Morse, - 

100 

Jas. T. Rhodes, - 

- 

10 

E. A. Wheelock, - 

30 

Jas. Randall, - 


- 15 

S. P. Fenn, - 

20 

J. F. Russell, 

- 

20 

Clayton T. Lyon, - 

20 

Judson Sanger, 


- 25 

Erastus Blackmar, 

10 

Geo. F. S. Stoddard, - 

- 

25 

Daniel D. Baker, - 

10 

J. Q. A. Stone, 


- 15 

A. C. Andrews, - 

10 

Adin L. Stcere, - 

- 

25 

F. Sampson, - 

25 

Aldin Soutliworth, 


- 100 

Jno. Fortune, - 

10 

A. M. Taber, 

- 

10 

Cyrus Davenport, - 

10 

W. R. Wasson, 


- 20 

J. M. Fairbanks, 

10 

E. H. Wells, 

- 

20 

John Paine, 

10 




326 


WOODSTOCK. 


List op Subscribers— Continued. 


Lewis J. Wells, 

- $30 

Lewis Williams, - 

- 100 

Maria M. Williams, 

- 25 

Sarah A. Woodward, - 

25 

Emily J. Bowen, 

- 25 

L. H. Fuller, - 

10 

Chas. H. Osgood, - 

- 10 

Jno. 0. Fox, 

50 

Chas. Wiley, - 

- 10 

Edward Shaw, - 

10 

J. W. Manning, 

- 25 

Warren A. Burgess, - 

10 

Oscar Fisher, - 

- 50 

Albert Kenyon, - 

50 

S. D. Skinner, 

- 25 

Calvin Hicks, 

5 

Ira Hyde, - 

- 10 

Benjamin Warner, 

50 

N. P. Clark, - 

- 10 

J. K. Potter, 

10 

Pierpont Phillips, - 

- 50 

Rufus T. Town, - 

30 

H. Newton Brown, 

20 

Charles S. Blivin, - 

- 50 

Lucien Perrin, 

10 

Edward Shan, 

- 10 

Horatio Whipple, 

25 

Edmund Wilkinson, 

- 100 

Wm. B. Stone, - 

10 

Jas. Allen, 

- 50 

Stone and Fenn, 

25 

Lewis Williams, 

- 100 

Lucy A. Williams, 

- 100 

Lucien Fitts, - 

- 100 

Henry Lyon, 

- 100 

E. P. Robinson, 

- 50 

Horatio Sabin, - 

50 

Alexander H. Vinton, - 

- 50 

Lucien Tucker, - 

50 

Emily A. Green, 

- 25 

William R. May, 

10 

Nathan H. Chandler, 

- 10 

Kirby Sofford, - 

10 


Newton S. Bosworth, - 

- $100 

Charles D. Thayer, 

- 50 

G. T. Murdock, - 

- 100 

Paine M. Law, 

- 100 

S. J. Silliman, - 

50 

Trenck May, - 

- 50 

Henry Phillips, - 

25 

E. B. Potter, - 

- 10 

Abiel May, - 

10 

Win. W. Webber, - 

- 10 

David Aldrich, - 

10 

Geo. Clinton Williams, - 

- 25 

Alpha Phillips, - 

- 100 

A. Houghton, 

- 10 

A. F. Johnston & Co., 

25 

Geo. B. Mathewson, 

- 10 

Edward P. Hayward, - 

10 

Shubael Day, - 

- 20 

Joseph Nichols, - 

10 

Orrin Smith, - - - 

- 10 

Jno. Sanger, 

10 

David S. Brown, 

- 100 

Jas. Coleman, - 

- 100 

Jane McWeaver, 

- 100 

Erastus H. Wells, - 

- 100 

S. Charles Knight, 

- 100 

William Lyon, 

- 100 

Oliver H. Perry, - 

- 100 

Nehemiah T. Adams, 

- 100 

Geo. J. Harrington, - 

50 

Samuel W. Butler, - 

- 10 

Edward P. Mathewson, 

20 

A. Parkhurst, - 

- 10 

Ezra Moffitt, 

20 

William S. Tucker, 

- 30 

Albert C. Chandler, - 

10 

Jno. Dimon, - 

- 50 

Wm. Bartholomew, 

20 

C. Comstock, - 

- 50 

Lewis Williams, - 

10 

Lyman Fitts, - 

- 20 

J. W. Doane, 

- 100 

Thos. Talman, 

- 30 





WOODSTOCK. 


I 


327 


List of Subscribers— Continued. 


Joseph R. Barber, - 

- $20 

Chas. Alton, 

10 

James Rafferty, 

- 20 

Jno. H. Stetson, 

10 

Aner Underwood, - 

- 20 

Abijah Sessions, 

10 

Nathaniel Andrews, 

- 10 

Jno. 0. Fox, 

- 100 

Gilbert W. Phillips, 

- 150 

Harrison Johnson, 

100 

James W. Manning, 

- 50 

Chas. M. Fisher, - 

- 50 

Hiram N. Brown, 

50 

M. S. Morse & Co., 

- 100 

Henry B. Aldrich, 

20 

‘Ross & Alton, 

- 25 

B. Segar & Co., - 

10 

Thos. C. Bugbee, - 

- 10 

Michael Moriarty, 

50 

Daniel B. Plimpton, 

- 10 

William H. Sharpe, - 

25 

Henry Stetson, 

- 100 

Oscar Fisher, 

50 

Laban D. Underwood, - 

- 50 

George Bradford, 

25 

William Myers, 

- 20 

Asa S. Bundy, 

20 

Otis Perrin, - 

- 10 

Alexander Buck, 

25 

Napoleon B. McComber, 

- 10 

Geo. A. Paine, - 

- 200 

Ezra Dean, - 

- 100 

Abigail B. Child, 

- 100 

Chloe P. Briggs, - 

- 100 

May A. Leavitt, - 

50 

Thomas Backus, 

- 50 

Ezra C. May, 

50 

E. Lyman May, 

- 50 

Silas May, - 

50 

Nelson Morse, 

- 50 

Leonard M. Dean, 

25 

Burt Crawford, 

- 10 

Stephen P. Webster, - 

10 


Geo. Pettis, 

- $50 

Edwin H. Bugbee, 

- 50 

Robert A. Sherman, - 

10 

W. Foster Dean, - 

- 10 

Walter Perrin, 

10 

Jno. Chamberlain, - 

- 10 

Stephen M. Bradford, - 

10 

A. K. Leavens, 

- 10 

S. P. Fenn, 

10 

Frank Alton, - 

- 10 

Lyndin Tucker, - 

50 

Cyrus Davenport, - 

- 30 

Dana G. Robinson, 

10 

William Thurbur, - 

- 10 

Geo. A. Penniman, 

50 

Alexander H. Sessions, - 

- 10 

Abel D. Haven, - 

10 

Esther Bishop, 

- 10 

Lucretia Vinton, 

50 

Geo. Spalding, 

- 20 

Asa Morse, - 

50 

Jno. Paine, - 

- 25 

Joseph Kenyon, - 

50 

Elisha M. Phillips, - 

- 20 

Milton Bradford, 

50 

Jno. F. Williams, - 

- 50 

Thos. P. Leonard & Co., 

50 

Marietta L. Sumner, 

- 50 

Lovin Litchfield, - 

50 

John B. Healy, 

- 50 

William Chandler, 

50 

Moses Dyer, - 

- 50 

William Paine, - 

25 

Damon W. Chandler, 

- 25 

Mo wry Richardson, - 

25 

Herbert Day, - 

- 30 

Benj. P. Spalding, 

20 

Asa Wilter, - 

- 50 

Chester Child, - 

50 

Jno. E. Buckman, - 

- 50 

John A. Mason, - 

20 

Edward Killam, 

- 20 

Geo. W. Green, - 

30 



328 


WOODSTOCK. 




List of Subscribers— Continued. 


Jno. F. Perry, 


- $50 

Elkanah S. Penniman, 

- 

- $30 

Lucien Harrington, 

- 

30 

Edward D. Phipps, - 

- 

10 

Caleb Fenner, - 


- 50 

Nathan E. Morse, - 

- 

- 10 

Darius Hill, 

- 

15 

Geo. A. May, 

- 

10 

Walter P. Snow, - 


- 30 

Erasmus Rawson, - 

- 

- 10 

Thos. J. Browning, 

- 

10 

Clinton Child, 

- 

10 

Joel Fuller, - 


- 10 

Pierpont Phillips, - 

- 

- 50 

Jas. H. Chandler, 

- 

10 

Sarah W. Lyon, - 

- 

20 

A. B. Ingalls, (N. Y.), - 


- 10 

Amelia Williams, - 

- 

- 10 

Edwin S. Bugbee, 

- 

200 

Zenas Marcy, 

- 

100 

SamT C. Comings, 


- 100 

George W. Clark, - 

- 

- 30 

Wm. Weaver, 

- 

50 

Andrew T. Clark, 

- 

20 

Harriet and Emma Lyon, 


- 50 

John F. Parkhurst, 

- 

- 20 

Silas Newton, 


20 

Geo. A. Spalding, 

- 

50 

Lucy Lyon, - 


- 10 

Jeremiah Harrington, 

- 

- 10 

Robert Williams, 

- 

50 

Barney Carroll, - 

- 

10 

Wm. H. Rearson, - 


- 50 

Edward E. Bowen, 

- 

- 301 

Martin Paine, 

- 

10 

Amelia A. Fisk, - 

- 

100 

Catharine Arnold, - 


- 10 

Henry E. Bowen, - 

- 

- 100 

Marcus Green, 

- 

25 

Henry A. Bowen, 

- 

250 

Clayton T. Lyon, - 


- 50 

Nancy M. Grigg, - 

- 

- 150 

Nathan Fisher, - 

- 

50 

Nancy Swain, 

- 

50 

Emily J. Bowen, - 


- 25 

Jas. J. Sawyer, 

- 

- 50 

Wm. Johnson, - 

- 

30 

Jonah T. Morse, - 

- 

50 

Ebenezer Barrett, - 


- 30 

Amos A. Carroll, - 

- 

- 50 

Cortiss Hibbard, 

- 

20 

James E. Lyman, 

- 

50 

Alfred Wetherell, - 


- 20 

Jno. S. Lester, 

- 

- 50 

Sanford Fisher, - 

- 

20 

Nelson Lyon, 

- 

50 

Wm. W. Webber, - 


- 20 

SamT H. Phillips, - 

- 

- 10 

Finly M. Fox, 

- 

20 

Dan’l Lyman, 

- 

15 

Nathaniel H. Andrews, - 


- 30 

Eben. S. Crowningshield, 

- 30 

Joseph F. Russell, 

- 

30 

Hezekiah Snow, - 

- 

10 

Erastus Phillips, 


- 10 

John Mehan, - 

- 

- 10 

Patrick Reilly, - 

- 

10 

Salmon Needham, 

- 

10 

Clarence H. Child, - 


- 10 

Ira Hyde, 

- 

10 

P. Skinner, 

- 

10 

Geo. S. F. Stoddard, - 

- 

10 

Jno. Sanger, - 


- 10 

Davis Blackmar, 

- 

- 50 

Wm. H. Moore, - 

- 

10 

Henry C. Bowen, 

- 

5000 

Alfred M. Tabor, - 


- 10 

Abel Child, 2d, 

- 

- 200 

Chas. W. Lyon, - 

- 

10 

William D. Carroll, - 

- 

100 

Rufus S. Mathewson, 


- 100 

F. W. Flynn, - 

- 

- 50 

Faith W. Mathewson, 

- 

100 

Wm. B. Lester, 

- 

50 

SamT M. Fenner, - 


- 100 

SamT Palmer, 

- 

- 20 




WOODSTOCK. 

329 

List 

of Subscribers— Continued. 


Jno. Lake, - 

- $100 

Jno. McClellan, - 

- $200 

Lewis J. Wells, 

- 100 

Amasa Chandler, - 

- 200 

Thos. D. Holmes, 

- 100 

Roxana L. Child, 

- 200 

Sarali T. Lyon, 

- 100 

William C. Kibbie, 

- 250 

Andrew W. Bowen, - 

- 100 

William W. Matliewson, 

- 100 

Sarali J. Silliman, - 

- 100 

Edwin W. Sanger, - 

- 50 

Alden Southworth, 

- 100 

Henry S. Perry, - 

- 100 

Geo. N. Lyman, 

- 100 

Willard C. May, - 

- 50 

Benj. Sumner, 

Wm. H. Weaver, - 

- 100 

- 100 

A. T. Barnes, N. Y., - 

50 


These two subscription lists are to contain subscriptions to 
the amount of $15,000 each—the one to build and complete 
the new structure for the academy, and the other for a sup¬ 
porting fund: Henry C. Bowen, Esq., contributing $5,000 
towards each, on condition the sums should be raised, but 
his subscription payable when $10,000 on each should be sub¬ 
scribed, including his own subscription. 




ECCLESIASTICAL. 


CHAPTER III. 

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

'J'HE first church in Woodstock was organized about the year 
1600. There had been religious services, commencing 
with the arrival of the first planters, but no settled minister 
or church organization. 

The Rev. Josiah Dwight was their first settled minister; 
the exact date of his settlement is not now known. The 
records of this church during the pastorate of Mr. Dwight are 
lost to the society. It is supposed that when he left the 
church he carried away with him these records, the covenant, 
and other papers belonging to this organization. 

Furthermore, there is a deficiency in their later pro¬ 
ceedings. Through some dissatisfaction among its mem¬ 
bers, a division of this church occurred in the year 1759 ; 
the party which withdrew took with them the remaining re¬ 
cords to this date, organized a church at Muddy Brook the 
same year, and styled themselves “ The First Congregational 
Church of Woodstock.’’ 

A similar occurrence took place- in the Muddy Brook 
church, in the year 1831. 

There arose some difficulty among its members concerning 
the location of a new meeting-house, when a part withdrew, 
who, imitating the example of their predecessors, laid hands 




332 


WOODSTOCK. 


upon these records and formed a church at the village coiners 
now known as North Woodstock, and who it is supposed now 
hold them in their possession. 

The pastorate of Rev. Josiah Dwight continued with this 
people about thirty-seven years. Most of this long connection 
proved satisfactory, both to the pastor and the society, until 
near its close, when some unfortunate and unhappy affairs 
induced the pastor to ask for a dismission. This request 
was granted by the church, September 27,1726. A council 
was called, November 16, 1727, to hear the existing com¬ 
plaints. The allegations made by the church, were, rashness 
of speech, a want of meekness and patience, and furthermore, 
a habit of speculating in wild lands at Killingly; and, as fur¬ 
ther alleged, not without loss of his reputation for truth and 
veracity. 

Mr. Dwight denied the allegations as to misrepresentation 
about the lands at Killingly, but confessed rashness, want of 
patience and meekness, under provocation. 

It appeared furthermore, that Mr. Dwight had made some 
departure from the strict observance of church discipline, as 
established by the Cambridge platform, which was agreed 
upon by a general synod of the Congregational ministers of 
New England, in the year 1648.* 

He was not alone at this time in the desire for a revision 
and more liberal construction of the plan of church gov¬ 
ernment. 

By the terms of the Cambridge platform, associations of 
ministers and churches in separate organizations were not 
recognized. No discussion relating to change of church disci¬ 
pline or organization of churches was permitted, except at the 
general assembly of all the churches. 

At a council held at Boston in September, 1662, the form- 

* See Mather’s Magnalia, vol. ix, p. 153. This synod was held at Cambridge, Massachu¬ 
setts, September 30,1048. 



WOODSTOCK. 


333 


ing of separate associations of churches was favored. The 
old class of ministers opposed all innovations, and, being in 
majority, held strictly to the Cambridge platform. 

The venerable Thomas Hooker,* the founder of Hartford, 
and a leading minister in the colony of Connecticut, did not 
favor fully the strict church government as had been con¬ 
ducted by the leading clergymen of Massachusetts. He 
favored the frequent assembling of neighboring ministers, and 
a plan of consociations. Had he lived at the time of holding 
the council in 1662, he would, no doubt, have opposed the 
strict government of the churches as established by the Cam¬ 
bridge platform. 

A question arose in the General Assembly of Connecticut 
regarding greater latitude in the membership of churches and 
baptism. 

In the year 1664, that court resolved, 

“That understanding by a writing presented to them from several 
persons of this colony that they are aggrieved, that they are not enter¬ 
tained in church fellowship; this court, having duly considered the 
same, desiring that the rules of Christ may be attended, do commend it 
to the ministers and churches in this colony to consider whether it be 
not their duty to entertain all such persons who are of an honest and 
godly conversation, having a competency of knowledge in the princi¬ 
ples of religion, and shall desire to join with them in church fellow¬ 
ship, by an explicit covenant; and that they have their children bap¬ 
tized ; and that all the children of the church be accepted and accounted 
real members of the church; and that the church exercise a due Chris¬ 
tian care and watch over them; and that when they are grown up, being 
examined by the officer in the presence of the church, it appear in the 
judgment of charity that they be duly qualified to participate in that 
great ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, by their being able to examine 
themselves and discern the Lord’s body, such persons be admitted to 
full communion. ”t 


* Rev. Thomas Hooker was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1586. He came to Boston, 
New England, 1633, was settled over the church at Cambridge the same year, and, with ICO 
others, removed, settled, and founded Hartford in 1636. He died, July 7,1647, aged sixty- 
one years. 

t See Trumbull’s Connecticut, vol. i, chapter 13, p. 326. 



334 


WOODSTOCK. 


The secretary of the colony was instructed to send a copy 
of this resolution to all the ministers and churches in the 
colony. 

The majority of the churches were at this time opposed to 
what they called “ The Half-Way Covenant.” 

‘ ‘ They imagined that such a latitude in baptism and admission of 
members to communion, would subvert the very design for which the 
churches of New England were planted. They required full commu¬ 
nion ; those only were admitted in most of the churches who made a 
public relation of their experience, by which they gave satisfaction to 
the church of their repentance, faith, and sincere friendship for the 
Redeemer.” 

“ Great care and strictness was had in the examination of ministers 
who were to be ordained, their knowledge of the doctrinal points in 
theology was tested, and their ability to defend Christianity and its doc¬ 
trines. They must give evidence of their spiritual birth. None were 
ordained or installed over any church until after they had been admitted 
to its full communion and fellowship.” 

Notwithstanding the firm ground here taken by a majority 
of the ministers, there was a growing tendency towards a more 
lax state of church discipline; and finally, in 1696, the princi¬ 
ple which was attempted in 1664, by the General Assembly, 
which was called “ The Owning of the Covenant,” w T as now 
by some of the churches adopted. 

This explicit covenant, as recommended by the Assembly, 
was, in substance, as follows : 

“We do solemnly, in the presence of God and this congregation, 
avouch God in Jesus Christ, to be our GcJd, one God in three persons, 
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and that we are, by nature, 
children of wrath; and that our hope of mercy with God is only through 
the righteousness of Jesus Christ, apprehended by faith; and we do 
freely give up ourselves to the Lord, to walk in communion with him, 
in the ordinances appointed in his Holy Word, and to yield obedience to 
all his commandments and submit to his government; and whereas, to 
the great dishonor of God, scandal of religion, and hazard of the dam¬ 
nation of many souls, drunkenness and uncleanness are prevailing 
amongst us, we do solemnly engage before God this day, through his 
grace, faithfully and conscientiously to strive against these evils and the 
temptations leading thereunto.” 


WOODSTOCK. 


335 


This covenant differed in some respects in different churches; 
in some churches the explicit covenant was to be subscribed 
and owned annually, especially by the younger members. 

This mode of gaining church membership soon became 
quite common in the churches in Connecticut, and thus mem¬ 
bership became more general and a large portion of the chil¬ 
dren were admitted to baptism. 

The practice of requiring a relation of religious experience, 
and of requiring full communion, was continued in but few 
churches ; but where this was required the number of children 
that received baptism was small. 

This was under a state of things which was the passing from 
the order of the old ministers, who were among the founders 
of the colony, to that of a new class of people, the former 
ministers having now passed away. 

At the close of the seventeenth century the religious affairs 
of the colony were much disorganized, which led many of the 
most considerate ministers to attempt some general plan for 
reorganization of the churches under one uniform system of 
government, and also to provide, within the limits of the col¬ 
ony, a system of better education for the ministers who were 
to succeed to the head of the churches. 

With this object in view, a movement, was made in 1698 
for founding a college in Connecticut, by Rev. James Pier- 
pont, of New Haven, Rev. Samuel Andrews, of Milford, and 
Rev. Samuel Russell, of'Branford. In 1699 ten of the prin¬ 
cipal ministers of the colony were agreed upon for 'a board of 
trustees. In 1700 these gentlemen met at New Haven, and 
formed themselves into a society, to consist of eleven minis¬ 
ters, including a rector or president. They had another meet¬ 
ing the same year at Branford, and there laid the foundation 
of Yale college. 

This act was as follows : each of the trustees gave a num¬ 
ber of books, which at the time they declared were for the 


336 


WOODSTOCK. 


founding of a college. About forty bpoks were thus given 
at this meeting for this object. The trustees took posses¬ 
sion of these books, and appointed Rev. Samuel Russell, of 
Branford, the librarian. 

Donations of money and books to considerable amounts 
soon came to the hands of these trustees, and in October, 
1701, the General Assembly incorporated them, and granted 
a charter for the college, vesting them with all necessary priv¬ 
ileges and powers for the government of the same. 

At this time it was agreed that the college, for the present, 
should be located at Say brook. The charter ordained that 
the corporators should consist of ministers only. 

The plan of the college government was very formal and 
minute ; the design was to imitate the Protestant colleges of 
France. 

To be under the supervision of the synod of the Connecti¬ 
cut churches, which was the condition of all the French Prot¬ 
estant collegiate institutions. 

As it was the principal design of the college to promote the 
power and purity of religion, it became necessary now to es¬ 
tablish a uniformity in the government and discipline of all 
the churches in the colony, and to require the religious exer¬ 
cises of the college and doctrinal faith to correspond. To do 
this, it was determined to adopt a platform of faith and disci¬ 
pline suitable for promoting the designed object of the college. 

To effect this object, the General Assembly of May, 1708, 
passed an act requiring the ministers and churches to meet 
and form an ecclesiastical constitution. This act required the 
ministers in each county to assemble and choose tvro or more 
of their number to meet in convention at Saybrook, in Sep¬ 
tember of that year, and there to agree upon a form of eccle¬ 
siastical discipline, to be offered by them to the General 
Assembly at their session at New Haven, in October follow¬ 
ing, to be considered of and confirmed by them. 


WOODSTOCK. 


337 


This convention having met and considered the subject 
referred to them, made report in manner following : 

“In compliance with an order of the General Assembly, May 13, 
1708, after humble addresses to the throne of grace for divine presence, 
assistance, and blessing upon us, having our eyes upon the word of 
God and the constitution of our churches, we agree that the confession 
of faith owned and assented unto by the elders and messengers as¬ 
sembled at Boston, in New England, May 12, 1680, being the second 
session of that synod, be recommended to the honorable General As¬ 
sembly of this colony at the next session for their public testimony 
thereunto, as the faith of the churches of this colony.”* 

Then follows the heads of agreement and platform of 
church government embraced in fifteen articles, which took the 
name of “ Saybrook Platform ” from having been framed and 
agreed upon by the ministers assembled at that place, on the 
9th of September, 1708. 

The confirmation of the General Court held at New Haven, 
October, 1708, was in the words following: 

‘ ‘ The reverend ministers, delegates from the elders and messengers 
of this government, met at Saybrook, September 9, 1708, having pre¬ 
sented to this assembly a confession of faith, and heads of agreement, 
and regulations in the administration of church discipline, as unani¬ 
mously agreed and consented to by the elders and churches in this gov¬ 
ernment,—this assembly doth declare their great approbation of such a 
happy agreement, and do ordain that all the churches within this gov¬ 
ernment that are or shall be thus united in doctrine, worship, and disci¬ 
pline, be and for the future shall be owned, acknowledged, and estab¬ 
lished by law; provided, always, that nothing herein shall be intended 
or construed to hinder or prevent any society or church that is or shall 
be allowed by the laws of this government, who soberly differ or dissent 
from the united churches hereby established, from exercising worship 
and discipline in their own way according to their conscience.” 

Notwithstanding the Savoy confession was adopted as the 
faith of the Connecticut churches, yet, by adopting the heads 
of agreement, with respect to soundness of judgment in 

* This was the Savoy Confession, with some small alteration. See Trumbull’s Connecti¬ 
cut, vol. i, p. 509. 

23 



338 


WOODSTOCK. 


matters of faith, it was sufficient that a church acknowledge 
the Scripture to be the Word of God, the perfect and only rule 
of faith and practice, and own Cither the doctrinal part of 
those commonly called the articles of the church of England, 
or the confession or catechisms, shorter or longer, compiled 
by the assembly at Westminster, in the year 1643 (being a 
revision of the articles of the church of England by a united 
body of the Protestant ministers of that country, Presbyterian, 
Congregational, and Episcopal; a result of the overthrow of 
the government of Charles I, and the rigid government of the 
English church, by the Revolution of 1640), or the confessions 
agreed on at Savoy, to be agreeable to the said rule. 

The corporation, having now obtained a confession of faith 
adopted by the churches and legislature of the colony, now 
adopted it for the college, and the trustees and officers, upon 
their induction into office, were required to give their assent 
to it and to the Westminster confession* and catechisms. 

Such was the state of religious affairs at this time in blew 
England; there was far more reliance placed upon the dog¬ 
mas of theology then than at the present time. 

Dogmatical controversy was carried on with far greater bit¬ 
terness of feeling, and questions in theology were more fre¬ 
quently discussed in the pulpit. 

This was a transition period from severe Puritanism to 
modern religious freedom. Dogmatic rules and regulations 
began to be regarded as less important, and a higher regard 
was placed upon individual opinion and rights; the result of 
which is the entire freedom of religious opinion and worship, 
of the present day. 

The people of Woodstock, when their first church was 


* See Neal’s Puritans, vol. n, Appendix No. vii and No. vrn. Also, see Neal’s, vol. i, 
chap, ii, pp. 457-463; the assembly of divines at Westminster, and their action informing 
the Westminster confession. The heads of agreement here referred to, as adopted in Con¬ 
necticut, were those adopted in England, in 1692, by the Presbyterian and Congregational 
churches there. 



WOODSTOCK. 


339 


established, were strong adherents of the early Puritan faith 
and church discipline; and it is probable, by the best evi¬ 
dence obtained, that the Rev. Mr. Dwight inclined to a more 
lax form of discipline. 

It appears that Mr. Dwight removed from the town, and 
died, about ten years after his dismission, in the year 1736. 

Their second minister was Rev. Amos Throop, settled in 

1727. 

During his pastorate the church adopted, June 4, 1727, the 
new form of admitting persons to communion, by the new 
order of things, as before related : the owning of the covenant 
in order to baptism. 

This new covenant was a departure from the specialties of 
the articles of Calvinistic faith, which, it is believed, are at this 
time regarded by the Congregational church, as essential to 
admission and baptism. 

Rev. Mr. Throop died, September 7, 1736, after a pastor¬ 
ate of about ten years. His remains and place of interment 
are with his departed people, and noted by a visible memo¬ 
rial stone at the present time. 

Soon after the death of the Rev. Mr. Throop, a day of 
fasting and prayer was held preparatory to the selection of a 
successor. 

The call was made to a Mr. Hovey, but its acceptance was 
declined. 

On the the 28th of October, 1736, Rev. Mr. Whittlesey 
was called, and a committee appointed, December 23, follow¬ 
ing, to inquire into his principles concerning church govern¬ 
ment. Mr. Whittelsey was from Connecticut, while, at this 
time, Woodstock remained a Massachusetts town, and he de¬ 
clined answering the questions proposed. There was quite a 
difference of sentiment among Congregationalists at this time 
in all matters of religious faith, and it is probable that the 
Woodstock people, by their adherence to the half-way cove- 


340 


WOODSTOCK. 


nant, which now had become quite general, were determined 
upon a minister who favored this new form. 

Mr. Whittlesey declined the call; and, on the 28tli of 
March, 1737, the Rev. Abel Stiles of Hew Haven, was in¬ 
vited to preach on probation. He accepted their invitation, 
June 23, 1737. It appears he conformed to the require¬ 
ments of the church in its government. But subsequently 
to the dissatisfaction of many in the church, it appears he 
departed in some respects from the principles upon which he 
was settled. 

At a church meeting on the 27th of December, 1757, it 
was unanimously resolved, that it would not be for our own 
peace and edification for Rev. Mr. Stiles to be dismissed, but 
the contrary. 

But, in September, 1758, the question was put, at the society 
meeting, whether they would grant a suitable sum of money 
for Rev. Mr. Stiles’ salary, when it was passed in the negative. 
His salary being cut off, much feeling was expressed on the 
subject by opposing parties and by the pastor. 

A serious division in the church was caused by this action 1 ; 
and it appears that a majority were not only opposed to the 
continuance of this minister as their pastor, but earnestly de¬ 
sired a change. 

In January, 1759, a request was made by the society to Mr. 
Stiles to state upon what terms he would resign his pastorate. 
He having given his terms, they were accepted, but not with¬ 
out a separation of the friends of the minister from the church 
and society. 

The pastor and his friends now organized a new church 
at Muddy Brook, and, as before related, took with them 
the church records, and proclaimed themselves the original 
church. 

The feeling existing between the party that withdrew and 
those who continued with the old church at South Woodstock, 


WOODSTOCK. 


341 


was reconciled through the interposition of Rev. Mr. Leonard, 
in 1766, then pastor of the first church. 

A conciliatory letter was addressed by him to the Muddy 
Brook church, at the request of the old society, which was re¬ 
plied to, accompanied by resolutions of oblivion of past doings, 
and expressions of a desire for future friendship. 

This society, after Rev. Mr. Stiles left in 1759, remained 
without a settled minister until 1763, at which time Rev. 
Abiel Leonard received an unanimous call to become their 
pastor. 

By a vote of the society, he was offered £200 settlement 
money, and £80 salary. 

Of twelve churches invited to take part in the ordination of 
Rev. Mr. Leonard, only one, that of Killingly, was of Con¬ 
necticut. But six churches were represented on this occasion; 
and it proved most conclusively, that, notwithstanding this 
town had now been united politically with Connecticut about 
fifteen years, yet her affiliation and sympathy was most en¬ 
tirely in religious faith and discipline with her old associates 
of Massachusetts. 

There appears to have been introduced a new covenant, 
which was signed by Mr. Leonard at this time, which is with¬ 
out date, but its bearing is strong against the Saybrook plat¬ 
form, which is another evidence of their continued adherence 
with Massachusetts. 

It appears that, in 1769, during the ministrations of Rev. 
Mr. Leonard, the society commenced the change from the old 
mode of congregational singing to the modern form of sing¬ 
ing by a choir. This attempt to modernize the singing was 
strongly opposed, and did not fully attain until the year 1775. 

In May, 1775, Mr. Leonard was appointed chaplain to the 
Third Regiment of Connecticut troops, commanded by General 
Israel Putnam, by the General Assembly of the colony at the 
request of General Putnam. The church, at his request, 


342 


WOODSTOCK. 


granted him leave of absence, and he soon joined his regi¬ 
ment before Boston. He addressed the regiment at Prospect 
Hill, followed by an appropriate prayer. 

In April, 1776, the society was requested by letter from 
Generals Washington and Putnam to continue Bev. Mr. 
Leonard’s leave of absence. 

The letter is as follows: 

“To the Church and Congregation at Woodstock: 

“ Mr. Leonard is a man whose exemplary life and conversation must 
make him highly esteemed by every person who has the pleasure of 
being acquainted with him. 

“It, therefore, can be no surprise to us to hear they are loth to part 
with him. 

“ His influence in the army is great. He is employed in the glorious 
work of attending to the morals of a brave people who are fighting for 
their liberties—the liberties of the jieople of Woodstock—the liberties 
of all America. 

“We therefore hope that, knowing how nobly he is employed, the 
congregation of Woodstock will cheerfully give up to the public a gen¬ 
tleman so very useful. And when, by the blessing of a kind Providence, 
this glorious and unparalleled struggle for our liberties is at an end, we 
have not the least doubt but Mr. Leonard will, with redoubled joy, be 
received in the open arms of a congregation so very dear to him as the 
good people of Woodstock are. 

“This is what is hoped for—this is what is expected by the congrega¬ 
tion of Woodstock’s sincere well-wishers and very humble servants, 

“GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
“ISRAEL PUTNAM. 
“Head-Quarters, Cambridge, ) 

“ 24th of March, 1776.” ) 

The society voted to continue Mr. Leonard’s leave of absence, 
and he continued in the government service as chaplain until 
1776, when he was suddenly dismissed by General Washing¬ 
ton, for reasons not known. Llis chagrin and mortification, 
as has been supposed, induced him to commit suicide on his 
way home. He has been described as a man of good figure, 
an accomplished gentleman, and a fine pulpit orator. 

In the year 1779 the Bev. Ephraim Lyman was unanimously 


WOODSTOCK. 


343 


called by this church, with the offer of £200 settlement, and 
£70 salary, with twenty cords of fire-wood annually. He was 
known to be a firm adherent of the Cambridge platform, 
which was a good recommendation with the sound Puritan 
faith maintained at Woodstock. 

In 1814 an examining committee was, for the first time, 
appointed in this church, to question candidates for commu¬ 
nion. In 1815 this church, after an opposition of more than 
one hundred years, gave in its adherence to the Saybrook 
platform, and joined the Connecticut consociation. 

Rev. Mr. Lyman continued his pastorate to 1824, a period 
of forty-five years, when he was dismissed. He died in 1835, 
at the age of eighty-three years. His remains rest near the 
scene of his labors. 

In 1826 Rev. T. S. Clark received a call from this church, 
but declined acceptance. 

Rev. R. S. Crampton was settled in 1827, held the pas¬ 
torate about two years, and was dismissed in 1829. His 
adherence to Freemasonry was the principal cause of his 
dismission. He had the reputation of a man of ability and a 
sound preacher. He was afterwards an agent of the Ameri¬ 
can and Foreign Christian Union in the State of Hew York 
several years. 

In 1830 this church voted that they would not receive into 
this church any person who was a member of the Masonic 
institution, but, in 1837, it was unanimously withdrawn. 

Rev. W. M. Cornell was settled in 1831, and dismissed in 
1834. He then practiced as a physician in Boston. 

Rev. Otis Rockwood was settled in 1834, and continued as 
pastor to 1843. He removed to Cambridge, Massachusetts, 
and was without any pastoral charge. Mr. Rockwood’s labors 
here were much favored; many members were added to the 
church ; by the revival of 1842, forty joined as members. 

In the the year 1844 Alvan Peake, a descendant of one of 


344 


WOODSTOCK. 


the founders of this town, deceased, leaving a devise to the 
deacons of this church in perpetuity, amounting to about fif¬ 
teen hundred dollars, the interest to be devoted to the main¬ 
tenance of preaching the Gospel in this parish. 

The successor of Mr. Rockwood was Rev. Jonathan Cour¬ 
tis. He was invited in November, 1845, with a request to 
know his views on the subject of slavery. 

He declined the invitation in this form, believing it no part ot 
the duties of a pastor at Woodstock to discuss the question of 
slavery; and furthermore, whatever might be his sentiments 
upon the slavery question, they not being any part of his 
duties or professional requirements, did not concern the mem¬ 
bers of this congregation. 

In December, the call being renewed independently, he 
accepted, and soon entered upon his duties, and continued 
with satisfaction to his people till 1852, when, being attacked 
by paralysis, he resigned his office, but made this parish his 
home. Over twenty were admitted to this church during 
his ministry. 

In 1853, in November, the same council that dismissed Mr. 
Courtis ordained the Rev. Henry M. Colton, who remained 
pastor here till January, 1855, when he was dismissed. Mr. 
Colton then removed to Middletown, Connecticut, and there 
opened a family boarding-school. 

This society now for a number of years supported worship 
by supply. The Rev. Lemuel Grosvenor, was the principal 
reliance; he began his services in 1856, and remained here 
about ten years. 

In a thanksgiving discourse delivered the 24th of Novem¬ 
ber, 1859, he gave an historical sketch of this church, from 
the time of its first organization to this date. 

Although brief, it was a labor of much research, and is an 
interesting production. This sketch is indebted to this work 
of Mr. Grosvenor for many dates and facts. 


WOODSTOCK. 


345 


Following Mr. Grosvenor came the Rev. J. H. Lyon; the 
exact time of his services is not ascertained. His successor, 
Rev. N. Beach, was the minister here in 1869. 

The old custom of retaining ministers during life or their 
ability to serve, ended here with the pastorate of the venera¬ 
ble Ephraim Lyman. 

The wisdom of the change is not a question that requires 
discussion in gathering facts which the past has disclosed, but 
to leave that inquiry for each student of history to decide, 
without bias. 

The former mode gave the minister and people a better 
knowledge of each other, and it would seem a greater interest 
in his people by the minister, which, well directed, ought to be 
for their advantage. 

The old Puritan system which obliged every town to main¬ 
tain a learned, orthodox, godly minister, was strictly observed 
in Woodstock. They were clear in the belief, that as the law 
required a minister to be supported at the expense of the town, 
it was fair and just that each inhabitant should pay his pro rata 
share according to the property he possessed. Thus, all the 
property of the town was alike taxed for the support of this 
first Congregational society, until the town was divided into 
separate parishes. 

As the parishes were formed, each had the same right, 
within its particular limits, until other enactments permitted 
dissenters to relieve themselves from the support of the stand¬ 
ing order, by showing, by a certificate, that they were of a 
different faith, and did support and attend worship accord¬ 
ingly. 

This only relieved those of a different faith. All others 
that could not thus show by certificate that they supported 
otherwise, were taxed in common for the Congregational 
church of the parish in which they resided. Thus, all were 
compelled to support religious worship. 


346 


WOODSTOCK. 


It is said this state of matters in religions affairs at Wood- 
stock continued down to the year 1811. 

The laws of Massachusetts and Connecticut were quite sim¬ 
ilar upon this question of support of religious worship, but 
the strict adherence to this principle, it is believed, was more 
general and less yielding in Connecticut, down to a more re¬ 
cent period, than in Massachusetts. 

It has, however, been satisfactorily tested both sides of the 
line, between these States, that religion needs no compulsory 
enactments to insure its support, and that conscience is the 
only proper guide and impelling motor in that direction. 

It was the custom in Woodstock, as also in towns generally 
in the early history of New England, to station tything-men 
in the galleries of the church, to keep a supervision over the 
youth, and in this town the custom continued down to a 
recent period. 

It was formerly the custom here to adopt the Quaker mode 
of seating males and females on separate sides of the house. 
This, no doubt, ceased when pews instead of benches were 
used for seating the congregation. 

In the two first meeting-houses, it was usual here, as was 
general in the colonial period, to dignify the pews. A com¬ 
mittee was selected to decide upon the grade of honor and 
dignity in point of character each member of the parish sus¬ 
tained, and by that criterion to determine the eligible position 
of his seat in the meeting-house. 


DEACONS. 

Edward Morris, one of the first planters, was the first dea¬ 
con of the first Congregational church, and probably contin¬ 
ued his office through the pastorate of the first minister, the 
Rev. Josiah Dwight. 

The second was Edward Chamberlain, chosen, September 8, 
1727 and the next, William Lyon, elected on March 12,1730. 


WOODSTOCK. 


347 


In 1763 Jedediah Morse and William Skinner were se¬ 
lected for deacons, and held the office forty-three years. 
Deacon Skinner was born in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1720, 
and removed to Woodstock at the age of twenty-one years, 
in 1741 ; he died here, January 30, 1807, aged eighty-seven. 

His wife died on the 16th of April, 1805, having lived a 
married life over fifty-nine years. 

Deacon Morse was born in Woodstock in 1726, and mar¬ 
ried Sarah Child in 1747 ; he died in 1819, aged ninety-three; 
his wife died the 5th of April, 1805, but sixteen days before 
the death of Mrs. Skinner; she had been married fifty-eight 
years. 

The coincidence of long life, being deacons of the church 
so long, living with wives of their choice so long a period, and 
both their wives deceasing so near the same time, are remark¬ 
able incidents. 

It has been said of them that both being large in stature, 
they resembled each other much, possessed similar qualities 
of mind, were both strongly intellectual, possessing marked 
practical common sense and correct views relating to matters 
in general, which often called them to offices of trust and re¬ 
sponsibility by their townsmen. It is also reported of them 
that they kept a diary, or had written each of them a brief 
sketch of their history, but that of Deacon Skinner was car¬ 
ried to Vermont by a relative. The sketch by Deacon Morse 
has been kept in this town by a descendant—Deacon Asa T. 
Child. It was written in 1810 ; the following are some of 
the facts disclosed, which exhibit his great usefulness and 
demand by his fellow-townsmen : 

In 1763 he was chosen a selectman, and held that office 
eighteen years; in 1764 was elected to the General Assembly 
as their representative, and continued in that office thirty-one 
years; was chosen town clerk in 1767, and held that office 
twenty-seven years; also held the office of justice of the peace 


348 


WOODSTOCK. 


from 1774 to 1801. He remarked in his diary relative to his 
social relations with Deacon Skinner : 

“We stood together forty-three years as brothers in harmony; have 
taken sweet council together; and many a time walked to the house of 
God in company; but our days of pleasure are now closed by the death 
of Deacon Skinner.” 

In 1820 Theophilus B. Chandler was chosen deacon, and 
in 1833, Moses Lyon, 3d, was elected to that office, and re¬ 
signed in 1854. 

The same year Lewis Chamberlain and Asa T. Child were 
elected deacons. Mr. Chamberlain having deceased in 1858, 
Alden Southworth was chosen to till the vacancy. 

It should have been stated before, in point of date, that, in 
1798, Wm. Lyon, 2d, and Lotlirop Holmes were elected dea¬ 
cons, and that, on the decease of Mr. Holmes in 1805, Jede- 
diah Kimball was chosen to till his place. 

MEETING-HOUSES. 

It has been related before that the founders of this town 
erected their first house for religious worship in the year 1691, 
and up to 1717, that small building remained their place of 
meeting, but as the inhabitants increased it was now found 
too limited for the members of the society, when a com¬ 
mittee was selected by the town to view the old house and 
report what should be done. The report was, that it was 
not capable of repair to accommodate the people, and that 
the only proper and economical course was to erect a new 
house. 

The town accepted this report with thanks, and proceeded 
to discuss the place for its location; several places were favored 
by different parties, but it was finally voted to locate it near 
the burial-ground. Captain John Chandler, John Peak, and 
William Lyon were chosen to provide material. 

Considerable delay followed, and aid was requested from 


WOODSTOCK. 


349 


Roxbury, with the offer of setting the house further north for 
accommodating, as supposed, the north half of the town, but 
no response came from that source. 

On the 23d of December, 1717, it was voted again to set 
the house within twenty rods of the burial-ground; yet this 
was not fully to the satisfaction of many, and another meeting 
was held in 1718, without any decisive action; but, on the 14th 
of December, 1719, at the annual town meeting, Mr. Dwight 
was called upon to pray with them, when all previous acts re¬ 
lating to the location of the house were annulled, and the ques¬ 
tion referred to three men out of town, viz., Joshua Ripley 
and John Fitch, of Windham, and Eleazer Bateman, of Kil- 
lingly, who reported, December 28, following, in favor of the 
location by the burial-ground. 

The site of the new house being established, a committee 
was elected for attending to building the same. Wm. Lyon, 
John Chandler, Jr., and Eliphalet Carpenter were to take 
this charge—to provide stone for the underpinning, and get 
the house framed as soon as they have a prospect of a supply 
of boards. 

In April, 1721, another committee was raised to make pro¬ 
vision for raising the house, and charged to use their best 
prudence in the provision they make, that it be done with fru¬ 
gality and honor. This charge to be at the expense of the 
town. 

The committee for building reported the 18th of April, 1721, 
“ that they had contracted for the lower work of the meeting¬ 
house for £80; that is, a pulpit of suitable bigness, the work to 
be quarter round, wainscoted, and with fluted pilasters on each 
side; the windows, a deacon seat, sounding board, and minis¬ 
ter’s pew; also communion table, and stairs into the pulpit, 
and banisters; the gallery stairs to be half pilastered, and 
with banisters; a body of seats in centre of house, the fore 
part quarter round wainscot, and the hind part plain work; 


350 


WOODSTOCK. 


the windows cased in present fashion, and ceiled up to bot¬ 
tom of same with boards. Knot holes, cracks, and open joints 
to be tilled with tempered clay mortar, as high as the lower 
girths; floor laid; six pillars of suitable bigness turned and 
set in suitable places; the whole to be done workmanlike.” 

This meeting house, at the time it was erected, was regarded 
as an elegant structure, too expensive for the ability of the 
town to pay for, and their representative was instructed to 
appeal for aid from the General Court, to permit the south 
half, the proprietors thereof, to lay a tax upon the non-resi¬ 
dents’ land in the north half of the grant, then owned by 
parties residing in Roxbury. This called forth a spirited 
memorial from that town, alleging that this meeting-house did 
not accommodate their half of the town, and that the cost of 
the house was much greater than needful, and that it had 
much better become the people of Woodstock to have first sat 
down and counted the cost before they had undertaken so great 
and chargeable work. In this appeal they were unsuccessful, 
and finally paid for their house by assessments upon the in¬ 
habitants, which induced them to restrict their money for 
schooling their children, and refrain from sending a represen¬ 
tative to the General Court. 

The estimate of character and dignity of the principal men 
of Woodstock was shown in 1722, by the priority of right 
each had in the location of their pews in this new house. 

Their right of choice for location stands recorded as follows: 

No. 1, John Chandler, Escp, supposed to stand highest in 
point of character in the' town at this time. 2, Right to 
Lemuel Morris; 3, John Chandler, Jun.; 4, Samuel Perrin; 
5, Jabez Corbin; 6, John Marcy; 7, Deacon Edward Morris ; 
8, Deacon Johnson ; 9, James Corbin; 10, Eliphalet Carpen¬ 
ter; 11, Jonathan Payson; 12, Joseph Bartholomew; 13, 
Edward Chamberlain; 14, Ralph Lyon; 15, Zackariah 
Richards; and 16, John Morse. 


WOODSTOCK. 


351 


This house was finished about the close of 1722. At a 
meeting, March 12, 1723, Deacon Edward Morris was chosen 
to take charge of the meeting-house, keep it swept, and have 
charge of the key and care of the cushion ; the cushion for the 
desk, probably—not for seats, as such luxuries were not in use 
in country towns of that period. This second house con¬ 
tinued as the place of worship for one hundred years, as the 
third house was not erected till the year 1821, just before the 
close of the long pastorate of the venerable Eliphalet Lyman, 
who, it is stated, contributed liberally towards its expense (he 
died in 1823), and also made a liberal subscription to aid in 
the purchase of a bell the preceding year, now in use, and of 
the weight of 1,070 lbs. 

The original cost of this house was about $4,000, and an 
expenditure for repairs and remodeling in 1858 was almost as 
great, which presents this meeting-house at this time like a 
new house. 

It has been stated that the largest number of church mem¬ 
bers, at any one time in communion here, was 166 ; in 1860 
it was 134. 

The cemetery adjoining the meeting-house lot, northerly, is 
a place of interest for visitors to this ancient town, to spend 
a leisure hour; there may be found many memorial stones, 
denoting the resting-places of the early inhabitants, more 
ancient in date than in any other cemetery in this region. 
The oldest memorial stone here, that was noticed, is erected 
to denote the burial-place of Clement Corbin, who was one of 
the original proprietors and founders of the town, and bears 
date “1696.” It has been noticed by examination in many old 
cemeteries, that before the year 1700, although many in¬ 
terments had been made, the liead-stones rarely had any 
name or date ; these stones were of such common brown-stone 
as could be had in the adjoining fields; the slate or marble 
memorial are rarely seen before that time, and of those of the 


352 


WOODSTOCK. 


field stone thus used, it is rare that the chisel was ever used 
upon them—not so much (except in few instances), as to cut 
the initial letters of the name of the persons entombed. 

Few towns have exhibited more care in protecting the burial- 
place of their dead than Woodstock. While there are no ex¬ 
pensive memorial tablets, displaying great skill of the artist, 
the whole indicates care, neatness, and good taste ; and much 
unlike many cemeteries, where weeds and briars are permitted 
to grow and conceal from view what little may have been done 
to perpetuate the names of those placed in them. In front of 
this cemetery are several rows of vigorous trees, to give the 
place an air of seclusion, free from the tumult of business, 
reminding the beholder of a real place of rest, but on passing 
this guard of trees, all within is bright and cheerful. 

The remains of their second minister, who died as before 
stated, September 7, 1736, at the age of thirty-four years, 
were deposited here on the ninth year of his pastorate. The 
following verse is inscribed on the memorial stone at his 
grave : 

“ O cruel death! to snatch from us below 

One fit to live within the spheres on high; 

But since the great Creator orders so, 

Here at his feet he doth submissive lie.” 

This society held for many years a tract of about three and 
a half acres of land that came to it by the last will and testa¬ 
ment of the late Hon. Samuel Dexter; it is situated on the 
west side of the town common, nearly opposite the meeting¬ 
house of this Congregational church; and the income from 
the use of this lot of land,, it was declared by said will, should 
forever be appropriated for the support of preaching of this 
order in this religious society ; the lot was received, and the 
trust held as directed. The will evinces some eccentricity in 
the testator. Mr. Dexter was the son ot the Rev. Samuel 
Dexter, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, who died in 1755, at the 


WOODSTOCK. 


353 


age of fifty-four ; a descendant of Captain John Dexter, of 
Malden. This Mr. Dexter was for many years a noted mer¬ 
chant of Boston, a person of wealth and liberality. He gave 
$5,000 to Harvard college for the support of lectures upon 
“ Biblical Criticism.” Possessed marked religious tenden¬ 
cies, and exerted great influence in the faith in which he was 
a believer. He was an influential member in the Massachu¬ 
setts Continental Congress. 

He married a Miss Sigourney of Boston, daughter of the 
second Andrew Sigourney, of French extraction, connected 
with the small colony of Huguenots who made the first plan¬ 
tation at Oxford. It is believed he removed to Woodstock 
from Boston about the close of the Revolutionary war, and 
made this the home of himself and family, until the close of 
his long life. He died, when on a visit, at Mendon, the 10th 
of June, 1810, aged eighty-four. 

By a clause in his will, he required that his remains should 
be buried in the mathematical centre of the lot before men¬ 
tioned, which he had donated to this church and society, and 
when so buried there should be no stone nor thing to mark 
the place—the same to be leveled, so that no indication should 
appear that a grave had there been made. 

He also gave in his will special instructions for his funeral 
sermon, that the text should be— 

“ The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not 
seen are eternal.” 

Furthermore, he gave express injunction that the minister 
who officiated at his funeral should not mention his name, or 
make any allusion to him in any particular, but expostulate 
with his auditory on the absurdity of being so anxious to lay 
up treasures upon earth, and neglect their well-being here¬ 
after. Let him represent the summit of earthly glory as 
despicable, compared with the perfect and never-ending 
24 


354 


WOODSTOCK. 


felicity promised to the virtuous and good, that are permitted 
to enter upon that joy. 

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY, WOODSTOCK. 

This society is located in the West Parish of this town. 

Religious meetings were first held here during the year 
of 1737, but they labored under about as much difficulty in 
the support of separate religious worship as Dissenters, 
although holding the same faith as the first church. That 
church claimed the right of taxing all the inhabitants of the 
town for the support of the Gospel in that organization, 
which, no doubt, was one of the reasons for desiring an act of 
incorporation as a separate town or precinct. 

Application was first made to the voters in open town meet¬ 
ing, for granting the inhabitants in this part of the town the 
rights of a separate parish, which was then denied them. In 
1742 these inhabitants petitioned the Legislature of Massachu¬ 
setts for this object, but did not succeed; but on their petition 
to the same body the following year, an act was passed, Sep¬ 
tember 14, 1743, incorporating this district as “The West 
Parish of Woodstock.” 

These inhabitants now had the same right to form a religi¬ 
ous society, and to raise money for its support, as the first 
religious society, to the extent of their geographical limits. 

It appears that they soon availed themselves of this privilege. 
A meeting, preparatory for this object, was held on the 27tli 
of September, 1743, in the school-house, in the village of 
the parish. This meeting was organized by calling John Marcy 
to preside with Isaac Johnson for their clerk. 

A committee was then selected for building a meeting¬ 
house, providing a location, and also to engage a minister. 

This committee consisted of James Chaffee, James Marcy, 
and Ebenezer Lyon. 

Rev. Stephen Williams was ordained their pastor on the 


WOODSTOCK. 


355 


last Wednesday in June, 1747, and a church was formed the 
same year, as appears by the record of the first church, which 
shows that most of its members were dismissed from the first 
church for that purpose. Their meeting-house was built in 
1747. Rev. Mr. Williams continued his pastorate with this 
church and society until his decease, in the year 1795. 

The particulars relating to the settlement and character of 
the several ministers that have served this church and society 
since the close of the labors of Rev. Mr. Williams, have not 
been obtained, but their names, date of entering upon their 
duties here, and time of their dismission, have been nearly as 
follows : 

The Rev. Alvan Underwood was the first minister after 
the death of Mr. Williams. It is understood that there was 
a period of transient supply for this society of about six years 
before this pastor was settled. 

Mr. Underwood began his pastorate the 27tli of May, 1801; 
and so far as learned, continued his labors here, much to the 
acceptance of his people, for a period of about thirty-two 
years, terminating in March, 1833. 

He was followed in the pastoral duties by the Rev. John 
D. Baldwin, who received ordination, September 3, 1834. 
He continued with this people till February, 1837. 

Their next minister was not settled until nearly three years 
had elapsed. Then, in December, 1839, was installed Rev. 
Benjamin Ober, who labored here about six and a half years, 
and was dismissed in March, 1846. 

The church and society now maintained services by supply 
several years. 

Rev. Edward F. Brooks supplied from 1846 to the year 
1850 ; the Rev. William Allen supplied from 1850 to 1852 ; 
then the Rev. Alvin Underwood supplied about two years, to 
1854. 

This society theft engaged the Rev. Joseph W. Sessions, 


356 


WOODSTOCK. 


who was installed in 1854, continued his labors about ten 
years, and received dismission in 1864. Services were held 
again by supply. The Rev. Henry F. Hyde supplied from 
June 1, 1865, to April 24, 1867, and following him was Rev. 
William H. Kingsbury, who commenced here, July 1, 1867, 
and continued to April 1, 1870. 

Mr. Kingsbury removed from here, and became pastor of a 
church at Charlton, Hew York; the south-west corner town 
in Saratoga county, formerly a part of Ballston, but made a 
separate town, March 17, 1792. 

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, WOODSTOCK. 

The first Baptist church of this town is located in the West 
Parish. It had its origin in the year 1766. This church cele¬ 
brated its one hundredth anniversary, by a commemorative dis¬ 
course by its pastor, Rev. J. Torrey Smith, Sunday, the 11th 
of November, 1766. 

By the politeness of Rev. S. Barrows, the successor of Rev. 
Mr. Smith, a copy of this centenary discourse has been re¬ 
ceived, and from which the substance of this article has been 
taken. 

It appears that a church was here constituted in February, 
1766, and on May 29, 1768, Biel Ledoyt was ordained its 
pastor. 

This organization arose through the influence exerted upon 
a young man, by a sermon preached here by the Rev. Noah 
Alden, on passing through the town in December, 1763. 
This religious service had a forcible etfect upon his mind, and 
ended in a thorough conversion and change of heart, which 
gave tone and character to his future life. It is related that 
no sooner did the news of his religious conversion become 
known to his former companions, than they made a call upon 
him to use their influence to draw him back to his former 
levity. He willingly consented to join them to spend the 


WOODSTOCK. 


357 


evening together, but his design was very unlike that of his 
associates. 

The result ot this interview showed the earnestness of his 
etiorts ; instead ot returning to his former ways, he prevailed 
with his companions to join with him in a religious meeting 
the next week, which was but the commencement of a series 
of meetings, an important religious revival, and the con¬ 
version of a large number of the young people of the parish. 
They partook ot that earnest form ot religious zeal which 
had been excited through the country, styled u The New 
Lights,” introduced in part by that celebrated preacher, 
George Whitfield,* but fully sustained by the greatest of 
native American preachers, Jonathan Edwards. 

The year 17J0 may be taken as the commencement of the 
period of change from the Puritan lethargy into which many 
of the leading orthodox Congregational churches had fallen, 
to that warm, vital religion imbued with the pure scriptural 
teachings of Christ, love to God, and love to man. It fellow 7 - 
sliiped with no Half-Way Covenant; it required a heart-felt 
conviction for sins, a regenerate spirit, and an honest confes¬ 
sion of faith, that, through the gift of grace, they were born to 
be followers of Christ henceforth. 

These young converts adopted the form of adult baptism, or, 
as called, Believers' 1 Baptism , and called to be pastor of their 
church Biel Ledoyt, the young man who had been the leading- 
spirit among them. 

The number of members who joined in the organization in 
February, 1766, is not now known, as their early records have 
been lost. The facts here given have, so far, been derived 


* George Whitfield was born in Gloucester, England, December 16, O. S., 1714, and died 
suddenly of asthma at Newburyport, Massachusetts, Sunday morning, September 30, 1770. 
He first visited America, May 7, 1738, arriving at Savannah, Georgia. 

He made seven visits to America, and made tours through all the English colonies from 
Georgia to New Hampshire, preaching in all places where he passed, drawing together 
vast assemblages, and stirring up great religious feeling, carrying conviction to the hearts 
of multitudes who had but little religion before. 



358 


WOODSTOCK. 


mostly from Backus’ “ Church History of New England.” 
Eighteen years later, in 1784, Mr. Backus gives the number 
of members in this church as 143 ; and twenty-one years after 
its formation its number of members are reported by the War¬ 
ren association, in 1787 as 126. 

Though the church was nominally without a pastor the first 
year of its existence, Mr. Ledoyt was, no doubt, the minister 
from the time of its organization, proving his fitness for the 
ordination which he received in 1768. Tradition reports the 
first years of this church as harmonious and prosperous ; that 
in the year 1780 fifteen persons were added to the church by 
baptism in one day. 

Towards the close of Mr. Ledoyt’s pastorate two councils 
were called—one in August, 1788; and another, which met, 
July 16, 1790. Among the ministers present at these coun¬ 
cils were those two eminent Baptist divines, Thomas Baldwin, 
moderator, and Isaac Backus, scribe. The nature of the diffi¬ 
culty existing at this time does not appear, but probably 
referred in some respects to Mr. Ledoyt, who resigned his 
pastorate in 1790, about the time of the last council, after 
serving the church and society about twenty five years. 

The Bev. Samuel Webster followed Mr. Ledoyt with this 
people. In 1792 there were added to this church twenty-five 
members, and the whole number was seventy-three, as stated by 
the Warren association. It appears that Mr. Webster was a 
colored man, of slender gifts, ordained as an Evangelist while 
here, but the time he commenced or ended his services is not 
given, it is supposed to have been about two years, closing 
before September, 1794, at which time this church is reported 
by the Warren association as without a pastor. 

In 1796 the church was reported to that association, w T ith 
Bev. Bobert Stanton, a licentiate from Stonington, as preacher. 
At this time the membership was about sixty-six. Mr. Stanton 
was ordained on January 19, 1799, and continued to serve as 


WOODSTOCK. 


359 


pastor till 1805. He found the church in a low condition, 
but in 1801 a revival is recorded, in which thirty-eight were 
added, increasing the membership to ninety-three. 

This church now withdrew from the Warren association, 
and, uniting with other churches in 1802, formed the Stur- 
bridge association. 

The present meeting-house of this society was commenced 
to be erected in 1804, but not finished until 1806. Previous 
to this time their meetings were held in a building which stood 
about half a mile to the south-west of the village, and is de¬ 
scribed in the records as a dilapidated structure, resembling a 
barn in bad condition. 

Hev. Mr. Stanton served this people* about nine years. 
During his pastorate forty-seven were added to the church, 
and the increase of membership was twenty-two. Serious 
divisions arose during his ministry, which continued several 
years after he left. 

The first pastor and founder of the church was welcomed 
back to the place of his former labors in 1805, as successor to 
Hev. Mr. Stanton. Mr. Ledoyt had been absent about fifteen 
years, during which time he was a resident of Newport, New 
Hampshire ; preached there and elsewhere in the vicinity, 
leaving his record in all that region as an earnest and success¬ 
ful preacher of the Gospel. 

The church records have preserved the following testimo¬ 
nial, signed by the clerk of the church in Newport, which is 
deemed worthy of preservation, touching the character of this 
minister of the Gospel: 

“To all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, this may 
certify, that Elder Biel Ledoyt is, and hath been, not only a minister of 
the Baptist church of Christ in Newport for upwards of fourteen years 
past, but hath served us as a faithful minister of Jesus Christ that term 
of time, and is approved as such by our sister churches throughout our 
association. We should gladly have retained him with us; but God, 


360 WOODSTOCK. 

* 

who overrules all things, hath opened a door in His Providence whereby 
he must return and labor with the church of his youth. 

And we do unfeignedly recommend him as a faithful brother and an 
able minister of the New Testament.” 

He found tliis church in as sad a state of dissension as when 
he left it fifteen years before. In his earnest efforts to heal 
its divisions he met with but partial success. He continued 
his labors here and vicinity until his death, March 24, 1813, 
aged seventy years. 

The deceased was referred to in an obituary notice in the 
Baptist Magazine soon after this occurrence : 

“He was a plain, unlettered, but not ignorant man. He was well 
acquainted with his Bible and with its distinguishing doctrines, which 
he endeavored to preach with all plainness and simplicity. Few men 
have lived more uniformly devoted to the service of their Divine Master, 
or enjoyed more extensively the confidence of the brethren with whom 
he was acquainted. 

“His last sermon was from the words, ‘ Therefore be ye also ready; 
for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.’ Closing 
this discourse he was seized with a fever, then prevailing in that vicin¬ 
ity : he said to those about him, ‘ Carry me home to die. ’ He died the 
Wednesday following. 

“ His remains lie buried in the old burying-ground of this parish. A 
respectable marble slab denotes his resting-place. It bears the following 
inscription: ‘ In memory of Rev. Biel Ledoyt, pastor of the first Baptist 
church in Woodstock, Connecticut. He was ordained, A.D., 1767; died 
at Woodstock, March 24, 1813, in the seventieth year of his age. He 
left a widow and four children to mourn his loss; but their cup was 
mingled with the sweet reflection that their loss was his gain. He was 
remarkably distinguished for his piety and zeal, and rose high in the es¬ 
teem and affections of his brethren of the Baptist denomination. He 
was indefatigable in his labors, and the Lord blessed them for the gath¬ 
ering of the church of which he was pastor, from which originated sev¬ 
eral others in this region.’ 

“ Well done good and faithful servant, 

From pain to bliss, from earth to heaven removed, 

In death remembered and on earth beloved.” 

It will be noticed that this inscription gives 1767 as the 
date of his ordination, while the preceding notice, taken from 


WOODSTOCK. 


361 


Mr. Backus’ history, gives 1768 ; the reason for this is, that 
Rev. Mr. Smith, in his historical discourse before referred to, 
inclines to the latter date, as the true one. 

With the death of Rev. Mr. Ledoyt, the first pastor and 
founder of the first Baptist church in Woodstock, closes 
nearly the first half century of its existence. Although his 
efforts, the last years of his life, did much to heal the divisions 
in this church, which had for many years existed, it is reported 
that his death closed dissensions, and that full harmony now 
prevailed. 

The membership in 1813 is given as sixty-four. In 1814 
Nicholas Branch, a young licensed minister, supplied this 
pulpit. He was a member of the first Baptist church of 
Providence, Rhode Island, and was admitted to membership 
with this church, June 26, 1815, and the day following was 
ordained its pastor. Rev. Stephen Gano, of Providence, 
preached the sermon ; Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, of Sturbridge, 
offered the ordination prayer; Rev. Luther Baker, of Provi¬ 
dence second Baptist church, gave the charge ; Rev. George 
Angell, of the second Baptist church of Woodstock, gave the 
right hand of fellowship ; and Rev. James Grow, of Pomfret, 
offered the concluding prayer. 

Rev. Nicholas Branch served six years as their minister. 
He was regarded as a successful pastor; the church and 
society prospered under his administration; at its close the 
membership was seventy-three. During his service the par¬ 
sonage grounds were purchased, and the buildings as now 
standing were erected. 

This church now remained several years, from 1820, with¬ 
out a settled minister. 

Rev. Artemas Arnold, from Chatham, supplied the pulpit 
one year. Rev. John Nichols, of Thompson, followed for a 
short period; the names of Rev. Mr. Barnes and Glazier 
are among those who supplied occasionally ; and Rev. John 


362 


WOODSTOCK. 


Paine, from South Woodstock, supplied one fourth of the 
year 1824. 

It appears that during this unsettled condition of affairs, an 
important revival in religion arose with this church and others 
in this vicinity, which added many new members. 

This church united with others in 1825, in forming the 
Ashford association, and at its first meeting that year, its 
church members were represented at 110. There were forty- 
nine members received by baptism that year. 

In the year 1825 Rev. George B. Atwell was settled, and 
continued his services nine years, till April, 1834. His labors 
here were in harmony with the church and society, and 
successful in adding members to the same; when he left 
its numbers in communion were 151. During this period, 
Calista Holman, afterwards wife of Rev. Justus H. Yinton, 
became interested in religion and missionary affairs, to which 
she has since devoted herself. 

The successor in the pastorate here was Rev. Nathan D. 
Benedict, who continued till 1839. A revival which began in 
September, 1834, and was general in this vicinity, favored 
this church, giving new vitality to its efforts. Its members, 
in 1839, were 173. Two, who were among the converts of 
this period, John B. Gould and Hugh Dempsey, were soon 
after licensed to preach, and subsequently became ordained 
ministers and successful preachers. 

A call was now given to Rev. Bela Hicks, who began his 
service in the spring of 1840. Mr. Hicks continued a pros¬ 
perous ministry for a period of three years. Fifty-three new 
members were received, making an aggregate of the member¬ 
ship, at its close, of 193, probably the largest number of com¬ 
municants it has ever had at any one time. 

During this pastorate of Rev. Mr. Hicks the meeting-house 
received extensive repairs to the extent of $1,100, restoring it 
to the condition it was in at the time it was finished in 1806. 


WOODSTOCK. 


363 


This church was now supplied for 1843 by Eev. Isaac 
Woodbury. His successor was Rev. Henry Bromley, who 
served about two and a half years, closing in 1846. Rev. E. 
C. Brown now served till the spring of 1849, when Rev. Bela 
Hicks returned, and served a second term of three and a half 
years, till the autumn of 1852. 

The church was now for a time without a supply, until the 
spring of 1853, when Rev. Thomas Holman, a brother of Mrs. 
Vinton, before referred to, was called to the pastorate. 

Mr. Holman remained about a year and a half, and resigned 
his charge in the autumn of 1854. At this time the number 
of members was 167. 

Rev. John Paine now supplied preaching a few months. 
During 1854 the meeting-house was repainted and repaired at 
an expense of $304. 

Rev. Levi H. Wakeman accepted the pastorate in the spring 
of 1855, and served acceptably four years, leaving a member¬ 
ship in the church of 147. 

Rev. Nicholas Branch, a former pastor, succeeded Rev. Mr. 
Wakeman in 1858, serving over two years. It was now forty- 
five years since Rev. Mr. Branch supplied this pulpit first, as 
a young licensed preacher from Providence ; then the number 
of members was sixty-eight, now 147; but of those sixty-eight 
he came to, in 1813, only three or four were now remaining. 
Here Mr. Branch, like his predecessor, in his first settlement, 
began his ministerial life, and like that venerable predecessor, 
Rev. Biel Ledoyt, he returned here and closed both his minis¬ 
try and earthly labors. 

He retired from the pastorate here in the spring of 1861, at 
the age of seventy-five years, and from the ministry. He 
continued his residence here, loved and venerated by his 
people, dying, September 30,1863, in his seventy-eighth year. 

The ministry of Rev. Mr. Branch was longer than that of 
the venerable Ledoyt; both together had been witnesses of its 


364 


WOODSTOCK. 


seasons of prosperity and adversity during nearly a century of 
its existence. Their memory is still fragrant here. 

After the resignation of Mr. Branch, in the spring of 1861, 
Rev. Watson A. Worthington succeeded to the pastorate, and 
served acceptably four years. The church and society pros¬ 
pered under his administration, at the close of which, in the 
spring of 1865, the membership in the church was one hun¬ 
dred and fifty-one, a net gain of twelve during this period. 

A call was now given to Rev. J. Torrey Smith, who entered 
upon his duties as pastor soon after the resignation ol Rev. 
Mr. Worthington, and served this church and society about 
four years. 

The character of his centenary discourse, delivered in 1866, 
gives evidence that he was a man of great industry, entering 
fully into the spirit of his duties, and having a special re¬ 
gard for the welfare of his charge. He was succeeded by the 
Rev. S. Barrows. 

THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH IN WOODSTOCK. 

This church and society is in the south parish of this town. 
Those who embrace the faith of this denomination in this par¬ 
ish are persons of much respectability. The particulars as to 
the time of its first organization, or names of the ministers 
that have been settled there, have not been ascertained, ex¬ 
cept about the year 1813. Rev. George Angell, late pastor of 
the first Baptist church and society in Southbridge, was their 
minister, and continued with them till he was settled at South- 
bridge, in 1816. 

They have a meeting-house, and the society, it is believed, 
is generally supplied with preaching. It is understood that 
their records are very imperfectly kept; such has been the 
report when application was made for facts relating to their 
history, for this work. Thus its history fails to appear in this 
sketch. It may here be remarked that, with many, but little 


WOODSTOCK. 


365 


interest is manifested favoring any research into the past his¬ 
tory of these societies; other engagements so much engross 
their time, it is supposed that little is left for such objects. 
Then, again, distance from the location of these facts has pre¬ 
vented this writer from any prolonged research among such 
records as are to he found, although many visits have been 
made to this town exclusively for such object; and thus much 
of the history of these several religious societies, as well as 
the facts concerning the history of the affairs of this town, 
have been omitted. 

It is understood, however, that another writer in their im¬ 
mediate vicinity is engaged upon an historical work embracing 
this town and others in Windham county, which is expected 
to be far more particular and deserwng of the name of history 
than anything here accomplished. 

THE THIRD CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY; OR, MUDDY 
BROOK PARISH, EAST WOODSTOCK. 

This church and religious society was formed by a separa¬ 
tion of the members of the first church and society in this 
town, in the year 1759. It was occasioned by a disagreement 
regarding their minister, the Rev. Abel Stiles, who had been 
settled over this first church in 1737. By this disagreement 
a majority, in 1759, had become dissatisfied with the pastor, 
wliile a respectable minority of the church members favored 
their minister; and at this time, by the rightful exercise of 
the authority which was used by the majority, he was dis¬ 
charged, but taken up by his friends in this body, who with¬ 
drew at this time with their pastor, and formed a separate re¬ 
ligious society; and in the year 1766, having all the previous 
records of the society from which they separated, declared 
themselves the first church of Woodstock. 

It does not appear, from evidence yet discovered, that this 
separate organization, which established its house of worship 


366 


WOODSTOCK. 


at East Woodstock, ever attempted to raise funds for its sup¬ 
port by assuming tlie right permitted by law to the iirst re¬ 
ligious society, to tax the property and polls of this town; 
and it is believed that its support has been derived simply 
from the members of the parish. 

The Rev. Mr. Stiles continued his pastorate with this sepa¬ 
rate organization during the remainder of his life, which ter¬ 
minated on July 25, 1783, at the age of seventy-four years. 
On the 27th of December, 1780, the Rev. Joshua Johnson 
was ordained as his colleague, and dismissed on the 28th of 
September, 1790. 

Their next pastor was Rev. William Graves, ordained, 
August 31, 1791, and died here, August 26, 1813, at the age 
of forty-eight. » 

Mr. Graves was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Backus, or¬ 
dained, January 19,1815, and continued the pastorate to the 
3d of June, 1830, when he received his dismission. 

He was followed in the pastorate by Rev. Orson Cowles, 
ordained, April 25, 1832, and dismissed, September 4, 1837. 

Then this church called to the pastorate Rev. Thomas Bou- 
telle, who was ordained, December 6, 1837, and continued, 
until dismissed, March 21, 1849. 

Preaching was now supplied by Rev. James A. Clark from 
December, 1849, to January, 1851. 

The Rev. M. Burdette now became their pastor. He was 
installed, April 21, 1852, and dismissed, January 9, 1854. 
Then the Rev. J. A. Roberts supplied preaching from March, 
1855, to April, 1855, and was followed for a supply in the 
ministry, December, 1855, by Rev. Edward H. Pratt. 

Following Rev. Mr. Pratt, as supply, there have been the 
Rev. Francis Dyer, Rev. G. L. Putman, William A. Benedict, 
and William H. Phipps, who was engaged with this people in 
1872. 


WOODSTOCK. 


367 


DEACONS 

OF THE THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, EAST WOODSTOCK. 

Caleb May, elected, September 24, 1766. 

Nehemiah Lyon, elected,. September 24, 1766. 

Elisha Child, “ November 13, 1782. 

Charles Child, “ October 14, 1789. 

Nathaniel Briggs, “ about 1815. 

William Child, “ January 17, 1819. 

Luther Child, “ June 25, 1824. 

Theopliilus B. Chandler, elected, November 4, 1836. 

Asa Lyon, elected, November 4, 1836. 

Elisha C. Walker, elected, March 30, 1849. 

Halsey Bixby, “ December 1, 1854. 

Since the last above date, George A. Paine was elected 
deacon of this church, who deceased in August, 1872, and 
when this information was obtained, there had been no choice 
for a successor. 

MEETING-HOUSES. 

The first meeting-house erected in East Woodstock was 
for this third Congregational society, and was built in the 
parish of Muddy Brook, about the year 1767. This continued 
as the place of worship for all persons of this denomination 
in this parish till 1831, when a part of the church mem¬ 
bers and society withdrew to a new house at Village Cor¬ 
ners, and formed the fourth Congregational church and so¬ 
ciety in this town. This church and society erected for them¬ 
selves a new meeting-house in 1832, on the location of their 
first house of worship, in which, now in 1872, they continue 
their meetings. 

CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY, NORTH WOODSTOCK. 

This church and society arose from a division of the church 
at East Woodstock, or Muddy Brook parish. That church 
and society embraced the principal inhabitants of both east 
and north villages. 


368 


WOODSTOCK. 


In 1830, by a vote taken for building a new meeting-house, 
it was decided by a majority of the members to locate the 
house in the north village. The meetiug-liouse was built ac¬ 
cording to said vote, and on the 25th of February, 1831, soon 
after the house was finished, it was voted by a majority of 
members to hold their meetings for religious worship in this 
new meeting-house. 

This action caused a separation of the church and society ; 
those opposed to this removal continued their worship at the 
old house, and remained, as before, the third, or Muddy 
Brook Congregational society. The new society, composed 
of those who withdrew from the Muddy Brook or East 
Woodstock society, now took the name of the “ Congrega¬ 
tional Society of North Woodstock,” located at the village 
known heretofore as Village Corners. 

The number of members in the church at the time of this 
division was seventy-four. 

Bev. Alvan Underwood preached as supply a short time as 
their first minister. 

Bev. Foster Thayer received a call as their first pastor. 
He was ordained, June 29,1831, and dismissed, September 19, 
1836. The Successor was Bev. Lent S. Hough; the ordina¬ 
tion service took place, January 11, 1837, as follows: 

Introductory prayer and sermon by Bev. L. Ives Hoad. 
ley, of Charlestown, Massachusetts; installation prayer, by 
Bev. Joseph S. Clark, Sturbridge, Massachusetts; charge to 
pastor, by Bev. Otis Bockwood, South Woodstock; right- 
hand fellowship, by Bev. Mr. Cowles ; address to the people 
and concluding prayer, by Bev. John D. Baldwin, of West 
W oodstock. 

Bev. Mr. Hough came to this church from Chaplin. He 
was dismissed, May 11, 1841. This was occasioned by the ill- 
health of the pastor, and at his request. 

During his ministry, thirty-three members joined the church 


WOODSTOCK. 369 

by profession, and twelve by letter. Twenty-three joined by 
profession at one time, May 5, 1839. 

A call was given in July, 1841, to Eev. Willard Child, 
I). D., but not accepted. The invitation was renewed in June, 
1842, but again declined. 

Dr. Child supplied for a time; but in August accepted a 
call, and settled with the fifth Congregational church at 
Norwich. 

An invitation was given to Eev. William H. Marsh, in 
1844, to become their pastor, and accepted. His installation 
took place, November 20, as follows : 

Introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures, by Eev. 
Benjamin Ober, West Woodstock; sermon, by Eev. Edward 
W. Hooker, D. D., of the Theological Seminary, East Wind¬ 
sor ; installation prayer, by Eev. Joshua Bates, D. D., of 
Dudley, Massachusetts; charge to pastor, by Eev. Daniel 
Dow, D. D., of Thompson; right hand of fellowship,' by 
Eev. Thomas Boutelle, East Woodstock; address to the 
people, by Eev. Eber Carpenter, of Southbridge, Massachu¬ 
setts; concluding prayer, by Eev. Daniel C. Frost. 

During Eev. Mr. Marsh’s pastorate, seven joined by profes¬ 
sion, and ten by letter. He was dismissed, April 22, 1851. 

Eev. O. D. Hive succeeded to the pastorate, and was in¬ 
stalled on January 6, 1852, by the following services : Prayer, 
introductory, and reading of Scriptures, by Eev. L. Carey, Web¬ 
ster, Massachusetts; sermon, by Eev. George Bushnell, Wor¬ 
cester ; installation prayer, by Eev. L. Carey; charge to 
pastor, by Eev. Jonathan Courtis, of Woodstock ; right hand 
of fellowship, by Eev. E. C. Learned, Canterbury ; charge to 
the people, by Eev. A. Dunning, Thompson ; and closing 
prayer, by Mr. Learned. 

Eev. Mr. Llive was dismissed, October 31,1855. During his 
ministry thirteen joined the church by profession, and eight by 
letter. 


25 


370 


WOODSTOCK. 


Rev. D. M. Elwood was tlie successor; after supplying the 
pulpit about ten months, was installed, March 24, 1858, and 
received dismission in September, 1859, to accept a call from 
the Congregational church at Centre Falls, Rhode Island. 

There were received into this church during this pastorate, 
fifty-one by profession, and ten by letter. 

In the spring of 1857, about the commencement of Mr. 
Elwood’s services, there became an important revival of reli¬ 
gion with this people, the fruits of which were an addition to 
the church by profession in March of thirteen, and in May 
following, by profession, thirty-two; and by letter, five; in¬ 
creasing its members by fifty communicants. 

It was voted at the regular church meeting in March, 1858, 
that the meetings for prayer, conference, and the cultivation 
of Christian fellowship and sympathy, be held on the second 
Thursday of each month. 

At this time the pastor and deacons were authorized to 
revise the articles of faith and covenant, and prepare a church 
manual to be presented for the use of the members. This 
vote was again made in March, 1860, when Rev. John White 
was pastor, and was speedily carried into effect. 

Rev. Mr. White commenced his labors as supply and acting 
pastor, December, 1859, and left to perform some unfinished 
business of the Mendi Mission , for the American Board, in 
December 1, 1861. Having finished this mission business in 
Africa, he returned to the ministry at this church in Novem¬ 
ber, 1862, and continued here until December 19,1865, when, 
owing to failing health, he asked for dismission, and soon after 
became pastor of a newly organized church at Ames, Story 
county, Iowa. He was a faithful minister, ardently devoted 
to the cause of Christ. During his services there were added 
to this church twenty-four members by profession, and thirteen 
by letter. 

Mr. White was an active, working minister, and introduced 


WOODSTOCK. 


371 


plans of work in the cause of religion for the members of the 
church, to increase their devotion to the cause generally. A 
plan of labor and increased effort was brought forward in the 
spring of 1864, mainly as follows: 

First, to hold monthly meetings, at which church members 
alone w^re expected to be present; the appointment of a com 
mittee of four, either male or female, to converse first with the 
younger church members; second, with those interested in 
religion ; third, more general duties in the way of exhortation 
and admonition, and to report what influences were operating 
against religion; fourth, to report the number of non-church¬ 
going people in the parish, the number of Sabbath School 
scholars, and those in the parish not attending that school; 
and to report also all hopeful conversions. 

Reports were also expected from the pastor, the officers of 
the church, and from the superintendent of the Sabbath-School. 

The great object was to increase the interest in favor of 
religion and the church with all classes, to enlist the sym¬ 
pathies and active influence of the church and society in 
favor of the Sabbath-School, and to direct the attention of all 
the members of the church and society, as far as possible, to 
the general advancement of the cause of Christ in this behalf. 

This was Rev. Mr. White’s effort up to the time he closed 
his services with this people. 

Rev. Tliaddeus H. Brown was his successor. The ordina¬ 
tion took place, April 11, 1866. Services as follows : Intro¬ 
ductory prayer and reading of Scriptures by Rev. J. H. Lyon, 
Woodstock; sermon, by Rev. Professor Smith, Andover, 
Massachusetts; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. H. F. 
Hyde, of West Woodstock ; charge to pastor and people, by 
Rev. E. H. Pratt, of East Woodstock; ordaining prayer, by 
Rev. S. C. Kendall, of Webster, Massachusetts; benediction, 
by the pastor. 

The pastorate of Rev. Mr. Brown was closed by his death, 


372 


WOODSTOCK. 


October 19, 1868. During his ministry there were added 
to this church ten by profession, and five by letter. 

Dev. J. W. Kingsbury succeeded to the pastorate here, 
November 24, 1869, at which time he received installation 
as follows: Introductory exercise, by Dev. G. J. Tillotson, of 
Putnam; sermon, by Dev. J. Taylor, D. D., of West Killingly; 
installation prayer, by Dev. N. Beach, of Woodstock ; charge 
to pastor, by Dev. H. F. Hyde, of Pomfret; right hand of 
fellowship, by Dev. W. H. Kingsbury, brother of the pastor, 
of West Woodstock; address to the people, by Dev. D. 
Breed, of Abington. 

Dev. Mr. Kingsbury continues to labor satisfactorily with 
this people when last heard from. 

Infant baptisms have been recorded as follows : 


In 

1832, 

19 

In 

1855, - 

3 

<< 

1833, 

. 7 

u 

1857, 

- 7 

u 

1837, 

12 

a 

1859, - 

5 

ii 

1839, 

- 3 

it 

1860, 

- 2 

u 

1840, 

13 

a 

1863, - 

3 

u 

1842, 

- 9 

a 

1864, 

- 1 

11 

1845, 

4 

il 

1868, - 

1 

u 

1846, 

- 5 

u 

1869, 

- 2 

u 

1854, 

2 



_ 






98 


It is presumed that there are omissions of record of the 
baptisms of some years. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 


CHAPTER IY. 

"jy/pANY distinguished men of various professions in life 
this town has the honor of claiming as their birthplace, 
or as having descended from its founders, among whom are 
the following: General William Eaton, horn on the 23d of 
February, 1764, was the son of a respectable farmer, in the 
middle rank of life, teaching school winters; he died, Novem¬ 
ber 23, 1804. He was one of a large family, possessing great 
vigor, physically and mentally. At the age of sixteen ran 
away from home, and enlisted in the Revolutionary war ; and 
continued in service, except a short time when sick, to the 
close, in 1783. 

In the years l784-’85 he entered upon and pursued a course 
of studies preparatory to entering college, and became relig¬ 
iously inclined. Being at Franklin, Massachusetts, in charge 
of Rev. Mr. Nott, he was received into the church under his 
pastorate. 

During this time his proficiency was such, that he was ac¬ 
cepted as a student in Dartmouth college. He graduated in 
1790, and received the degree of B. A. 

Soon after leaving college he made the acquaintance of the 
youthful widow of General Timothy Danielson, and married 
her the 21st of August, 1792, he having received in March 
previous a captain’s commission in the United States army, 
and was settled with his wife for a time at Windsor, Ver¬ 
mont. 



374 


WOODSTOCK. 


In 1793 he received orders to join the Western army under 
General Anthony Wayne, and commanded the left column of 
this force, arriving at Cincinnati in May following. About 
this time he established his family at Brimfield, Massachusetts, 
where he continued his future home. 

In 1795 he was ordered to Savannah, Georgia, and arrived 
there the 26th of December following. Here he built Fort 
Pickering, for a protection against the Indians and Spaniards. 

He returned to his family at Brimfield in 1797, and at the 
close of this year received the appointment of American con¬ 
sul at Tunis. After about a year of preparation, and shaping 
his personal affairs to leave the country, he sailed from Hew 
York in the United States brig Sophia , the 22d of December, 
and arrived at his post the 9th of February, 1799. 

He now began that career which gives the chief renown to 
his active life. For several years he was engaged in the dif¬ 
ficult and arduous negotiations with the Dey of Tunis, to pro¬ 
tect the American commerce in the Mediterranean sea from 
the piratical cruisers of that province. 

To the boldness and prompt action of Eaton in this behalf 
the commerce of these waters is greatly indebted. 

The most exciting and chivalrous part of General Eaton’s 
services in connection with the Barbary powers, was the part 
he took in the war against Tripoli.* 


* This short war with Tripoli and that against France, occasioned by the depredations 
of the cruisers sent out by the French Directory, in 1798-’99, brought into note 
many of the most honored names that adorn the annals of the American navy. The most 
conspicuous in this service may be named: Commodore Richard Dale, born, November 6, 
1756, in Norfolk county, Virginia, and died at Philadelphia, February 26, 1826; Commo¬ 
dore Edward Preble, born at Falmouth, now Portland, Maine, August 15, 1761, and died 
there, August 25, 1807; Commodore Truxton, born at Jamaica, Long Island, February 17, 
1755, and died in Philadelphia in August, 1822; Commodore William Bainbridge, born at 
Princeton, New Jersey, May 7, 1774; died at Philadelphia, July 28, 1832; Commodore Isaac 
Hull, born at Derby, Connecticut, in 1775; died in Philadelphia, February 13, 1843; Com¬ 
modore Stephen Decatur, born on the South Shore of Maryland, January 7, 1779; he was 
of French descent; killed in a duel at Bladensburg, Maryland, by a shot from Commodore 
Barron, on the 22d of March, 1822; Commodore Charles Stewart, born in Philadelphia, 
July 28, 1778; was alive in 1859; Commodore Thomas MacDonough, born at Newcastle, 
Delaware, in December, 1783; died at sea, November 18, 1815; Commodore Charles Morris, 



WOODSTOCK. 


375 


Eaton conceived the idea of uniting with Hamet Caramelli, 
the rightful Bey of Tripoli, who had been deposed by his 
brother, then in authority, and by a military force restore him 
to the head ot that power. After much opposition, having 
visited the United States in 1803, for that object, and received 
encouragement favorable to his design, he returned in 1804, 
as agent ot the navy for the Barbary States. 

Hamet, after serious reverses in his attempts to regain liis 
rights, had retired to Egypt, where Eaton followed him and 
sought him out, some hundred miles in the interior of that 
country. 

In the spring of 1805 he assisted Ilamet in securing a 
force of 500 men, and marched this little army across the 
Lybian desert, attacked Derne, the capital of one of the richest 
provinces of Tripoli, on the 27tli of April, and, with the assist¬ 
ance of the American fleet in those waters, captured that city. 
He also soon after met the forces of the dey sent from Tri¬ 
poli, on the 11th of June, and, after a severe battle, gained a 
victory, and drove their remaining forces back into the 
mountains. 

Eaton now commenced preparations to march on Tripoli to 
reinstate Hamet, but through a peace and treaty arranged by 
the United States minister, Tobias Lear, with the bashaw, 
these plans and arrangements for the aid of Hamet were 
abandoned, greatly to the disappointment and loss of faith 
with that person, and much to the disgust of General Eaton. 

This treaty, by many at the time, was believed to be pre¬ 
mature and unwise, as $60,000 was paid the bey for the release 
of the American prisoners and freedom from piratical cruisers, 


born in Woodstock, Connecticut, in the year 1784, died in Washington, District of Colum¬ 
bia, January 27, 1856; Commodore Oliver Hazzard Perry, born at Newport, Rhode Island, 
in August, 1785; died aboard his ship, the John Adams, near the island of Trinidad, 
West Indies, of yellow-fever, August 23, 1819; Captain James Lawrence, born at Burling¬ 
ton, New Jersey, October 1,1781, and lost his life by a wound in the naval battle between 
the Chesapeake and Shannon, off Boston, the 1st of June, 1813. 



376 


WOODSTOCK. 


from this government, that had heretofore preyed upon the 
American commerce in that sea, and leaving Ilamet, if possi¬ 
ble, in worse condition than before, which sum it was be¬ 
lieved, might have been saved by an active, but brief prosecu¬ 
tion of that war. 

But, to the honor of Eaton, he made provision for the es¬ 
cape of Hamet to Syracuse, and tried to induce him to retire 
to the United States ; but this he declined. 

On the 6th of August, Eaton, having closed his duties as 
the agent of the navy in that department, returned home in 
1805, entering Hampton Roads in Virginia, and soon after 
traveled to Washington, where he was received by the Presi¬ 
dent and the people with much distinction, for the judgment, 
courage, and great perseverance he had displayed in behalf of 
the government in this difficult and dangerous service. 

In December following he visited his family at Brimfield, 
having been greatly complimented in the principal cities on 
the way by public receptions. 

He was honorably mentioned by the President in his mes¬ 
sage on the opening of the following Congress ; but the fore¬ 
going offices under the General Government closed, to a great 
extent, his public life. He was honored by the town of Brim- 
field by a seat in the State Legislature, in 1807, and died at his 
house with liis family, the 1st of June, 1811. 

COMMODORE CHARLES MORRIS. 

The commodore was born at Woodstock in 1784. He en¬ 
tered the navy as midshipman, July, 1799, and served during 
the war with Tripoli, from 1801 to 1805, with distinction, in 
the squadron of Commodore Edward Preble. He participated 
in that hazardous exploit, under command of Decatur, that 
destroyed the frigate Philadelphia in the harbor of Tripoli, 
on the night of the 15th of February, 1804. 

In January, 1807, he was promoted to a lieutenant, and in 


WOODSTOCK. 


377 


the war of 1812 served as first lieutenant of the frigate Con¬ 
stitution, and distinguished himself during the chase of that 
vessel for three days and nights by a British squadron in July, 
1812 ; aud by his gallantry in the action between the Constitu¬ 
tion and the Guerriere , August 19, following, when he re¬ 
ceived a severe wound. 

He was then appointed to the command of the ship John 
Adams , of twenty-eight guns, and made an important cruise 
upon the coasts of the United States and Ireland, greatly haz¬ 
arding and destroying British commerce. 

In August, 1814, he was followed into the Penobscot river 
by a British fleet, and while at Hampton, in endeavoring to 
protect his ship by his crew and militia, finding his efforts 
hopeless, he destroyed her, and directed his crew to separate 
into small parties, and travel through the country, 200 miles, 
to Portland, every man reporting himself in due time. 

After the peace with England he continued in active em¬ 
ployment, either afloat or on land, except two and a half years, 
in a professional career, to the end of his life; was twenty- 
one years at sea, commanding four squadrons, eleven years 
commanding at navy-yards, eight years head officer of bu¬ 
reaus. He died at Washington, District of Columbia, on the 
27th of January, 1856. 

JEDEDIAH MORSE, D.D. 

Dr. Morse was the son of Deacon Jedediah Morse, of 
whom mention has been made, in connection with the histori¬ 
cal sketch of the first church of Woodstock. 

He was born in this town the 23d of August, 1761; gradu¬ 
ated at Yale college in 1783 ; licensed to preach in 1785, by 
the New Haven association of Congregational ministers. He 
was for a time tutor at Yale, and in 1786 was ordained a min¬ 
ister of the Gospel. In 1789 was installed as pastor of the 
first Congregational church in Charlestown, Massachusetts. 


378 


WOODSTOCK. 


He received the honorary degree of D. D. from the Edinburgh 
university in 1794; and was an active member of the Massa¬ 
chusetts Historical society, and other literary and scientific 
bodies at that time. 

Dr. Morse is known as the father of American geography. 
He prepared, while in New Haven, in 1784, for the use of 
schools for young ladies, an 18mo geography, the first work of 
the kind published in America. This was followed by large 
works in the form of systems of geography and gazetteers, 
giving full description of the country from materials gathered 
by traveling and correspondence. 

Dr. Jeremy Belknap, the historian of New Hampshire ; 
Thomas Hutchins, the geographer-general of the United 
States ; Ebenezer Hazzard, the postmaster-general, and others, 
had contemplated the same task, but ascertaining the progress 
of the doctor in this research, yielded their pretensions in his 
favor, and furnished him with many materials for this work 
gathered by them. 

For a period of thirty years he continued, almost alone, the 
work in this department of science. 

Beprints of his larger geographical works were republished 
in Great Britain; and translations of them were made in the 
French, at Paris, and in German, at Hamburg. He labored 
actively in writing and preaching against the innovation of 
Unitarianism, and engaged himself in favor of the enlarge¬ 
ment, in 1804, of the Massachusetts general association of 
Congregational ministers, based on the Westminster as¬ 
sembly’s catechism. 

In 1805 he opposed, though unsuccessfully, the election of 
the Bev. Henry Ware, D. D., to the Hollis professorship of 
divinity in Harvard college. 

The same year he established a monthly religious journal, 
called the Panoplist , which was continued five years. He 
was prominent in the establishment of the Andover Tlieo- 


WOODSTOCK. 


379 


logical seminary, the preventing a rival institution at New- 
bury, projected by the Hopkinsians, and in effecting a union 
of these parties on a common Calvinistic basis, the Westmin¬ 
ster assembly’s catechism. 

The articles of this union, which were signed in his study 
at Charlestown, November 30, 1807, constitute substantially 
the theological basis of that institution at Andover at the pres¬ 
ent time. Dr. Samuel Spring and Dr. Eliphalet Parsons were 
united with Dr. Morse in framing these articles of agree¬ 
ment. 

He joined in the organization of the Park street church in 
1808, conforming to the standard of theology at Andover, 
when all the other Congregational churches in Boston, except 
the Old South, had more or less departed from that standard 
of faith. His anxiety and labors were exceedingly great at 
tills period in opposing any departure from the old Puritan 
character of Congregationalism. This action brought down 
upon him, as one of the chief leaders of this faith, all that 
party of the Congregationalists who were tinctured with what 
was styled “ Liberalism,” or those who had actually embraced 
the doctrine of Unitarianism. 

Dr. Morse suffered in his health by these active mental 
labors, and found it necessary to be relieved from the pastoral 
cares of a church; thus he requested to be discharged from 
those duties by the church and society at Charlestown, over 
which he had so long and faithfully presided; this request 
was granted in 1820. 

He now removed to New Haven, where he continued to 
reside till the time of his decease, June 9, 1826. 

In 1820 he was commissioned by the United States gov¬ 
ernment to visit the North-Western Indians; on his return, 
the account of his doings covered, when printed, 400 pages, 
8vo, and was published in 1822. He published “Annals 
of the Devolution,” a book of sermons, and a general history 


380 


WOODSTOCK. 


of New England. These publications are in addition to his 
geographical works. 

The sons of Dr. Jedediah Morse, Samuel Finley Breese 
Morse, horn at Charlestown, Massachusetts, April 27, 1791, 
and Sidney Edwards Morse, born at Charlestown, on the 7th 
of February, 1794, and both recently deceased, have abun¬ 
dantly sustained the same vigorous, intellectual powers so 
strongly exhibited by their father and grandfather ; the former 
as the inventor of the electric telegraph, and the latter as an 
American journalist, in connection with his younger brother, 
Richard C. Morse, establishing and ably sustaining for many 
years the New York Observer. 

This gives evidence of the tenacity of intellectual powers, 
continued in the same family, controlled by strong moral and 
religious sensibility. It is difficult to estimate the value of 
the persistent characteristics of such men by example and 
precept in diffusing knowledge and correct principles. There 
is scarcely a blemish upon the character of either, belonging 
to the three generations of this family. This has probably 
arisen from the firm and consistent character of the elder, 
Deacon Jedediah Morse, who, through a long life, sustained 
the most entire confidence of his townsmen. 

PROFESSOR SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE. 

Professor Morse, son of Rev. Jedediah Morse, D. D., was 
born as given above ; graduated at Yale college, Connecticut, 
in 1810 ; and went to England with Washington Allston in 
1811 to study painting under him and Benjamin West. In 
1813 he received the gold medal of the Adelplii Society of 
Arts at the hands of the Duke of Norfolk, for an original 
model of a “ Dying Hercules,” his first attempt at sculpture. 
He returned to the United States in 1815, and in 1824-25, 
with other artists of New York, organized a drawing associa- 


WOODSTOCK. 


381 


tion, which after two years’ struggle against various obstacles, 
resulted in the establishment in 1826 of the present National 
Academy ot Design. Mr. Morse was chosen its tirst presi¬ 
dent, and was continued in that office for sixteen years. In 
1829 he visited Europe a second time, to complete his studies 
in art, residing for more than three years in the principal cities 
of the continent. During his absence abroad he had been 
elected to the professorship of the literature of the arts of 
design in the university of the city of New York; and in 
1835 delivered a course of lectures before that institution on 
the affinity of those arts. 

While a student in Yale college Mr. Morse had paid special 
attention to chemistry, under the instruction of Professor Silli- 
man, and to natural philosophy under that of Professor Day; 
and these departments of science, from being subordinate 
as a recreation, at length became a dominant pursuit with him. 
In l826-’27 Professor J. Freeman Dana had been colleague 
lecturer in the city of New York with Mr. Morse at the Atlie- 
neuin; the former lecturing upon electro-magnetism, and the 
latter upon the fine arts. They were intimate friends, and in 
their conversation the subject of electro-magnetism was made 
familiar to the mind of Morse. The electro-magnet, on Stur¬ 
geon’s principle (the first ever shown in the United States), 
was exhibited and explained in Dana’s lectures, and, at a later 
date, by gift of Professor Torrey, came into Morse’s possession. 
Dana even then suggested, by his spiral volute coil, the electro¬ 
magnet of the present day. This was the magnet in use when 
Morse returned to Europe, and it is now used in every Morse 
telegraph throughout both hemispheres. 

He embarked in the autumn of 1832, at Havre, on board the 
packet-ship Sully ; and, in a casual conversation with some of 
the passengers on the then present discovery in France of the 
means of obtaining the electric spark from the magnet, show¬ 
ing the identity or relation of electricity and magnetism, 


382 


WOODSTOCK. 


Morse’s mind conceived, not merely the idea of an electric 
telegraph, but of an electro-magnet and chemical recording 
telegraph, substantially and essentially as it now exists. The 
testimony to the paternity of the idea in Morse’s mind, and to 
his acts and drawings on board the ship, is ample. His own 
testimony is corroborated by all the passengers (with a single 
exception), who testified with him before the courts, and was 
considered conclusive by the judges; and the date, 1832, is 
therefore fixed by this evidence as the date of Morse’s concep¬ 
tion, and realization also, so far as drawings could embody the 
conception of the telegraph system, which now bears his name. 
But though thus conceived and devised as early as 1832, in 
the latter part of which year, on reaching home, he made a 
portion of the apparatus, yet circumstances prevented the com¬ 
plete construction of the first recording apparatus in New York 
city until the year 1835 ; and then it was a rude single appa¬ 
ratus—sufficient, indeed, to embody the invention, and enable 
him to communicate from one extremity of two distant points 
of a circuit of half a mile, but not back again from the other 
extremity. The first instrument was shown in successful 
operation to many persons in 1835 and 1836. For the pur¬ 
pose of communicating from as well as to a distant point, a 
duplicate of his instruments was needed, and it was not till 
July, 1837, that he was able to have one constructed to com¬ 
plete his whole plan. Hence, early in September, 1837, 
having his whole plan thus arranged, he exhibited to hundreds 
the operation of his system at the university of New York. 

It may be interesting to notice here the following character 
of Mr. Morse, as given by the janitor of the New York uni¬ 
versity to a party seeking rooms there about this time. In 
looking at rooms to be rented, he passed into one that had the 
appearance of an artist’s studio, but every object in it bore the 
appearance of unthrift and neglect. The statuettes, busts, and 
models of various kinds were covered with dust and cobwebs ; 


WOODSTOCK. 


383 


dusty canvases were faced to the wall, and stumps of brushes 
and scraps of paper littered the floor. The only signs of in¬ 
dustry consisted of a few masterly crayon drawings and little 
luscious studies of color pinned to the wall: 

“ You will have an artist for your neighbor, ” said the janitor, ‘‘ though 
he is not much here of late; he seems to be getting rather shiftless; he 
is wasting his time over some silly invention—a machine by which he 
expects to send messages from one place to another. He is a very good 
painter, and might do well if he would only stick to;;his business; but, 
Lord!” he added, with a sneer of contempt, “the idea of telling by a 
little streak of lightning what a body is saying at the other end of it! 
His friends think he is crazy on the subject, and are trying to dissuade 
him from it; but he persists in it until he is almost ruined.” 

This shiftless man was then the president of the National 
Academy of Design (whose foolish waste of time so excited 
the commiseration of the janitor), since world-wide known as 
the inventor of the electric telegraph ; but a little while after 
this his fame was such that these unbelievers, who thought 
him insane, were forced to believe that there was, at least, 
“ method in his madness.” 

From the greater publicity of the exhibition of his electric 
apparatus last above referred to, the date of Morse’s invention 
has by some been given as of the autumn of 1837; whereas, 
the single instrument was operated successfully in 1835, and 
the general conception of the idea was made known in 1832. 

Mr. Morse first applied to Congress atthe session of 1837-’38, 
asking of that body for aid to construct an experimental line 
from Washington to Baltimore, to show the practicability and 
utility of his invention. Although its operation before a com¬ 
mittee of that body excited much interest, yet there was so 
much doubt as to its usefulness, if it even proved all the in¬ 
ventor claimed for it, that there was a strong apprehension, if 
a favorable report was presented, that a majority of Congress 
would not vote the sum necessary for its test. Thus this Con¬ 
gress adjourned without any favorable result for Mr. Morse’s 


384 WOODSTOCK.' 

efforts. He now visited both England and France, hoping to 
enlist attention in its favor ; but no exclusive privilege could 
there be gained, or any remuneration for his invention. He 
returned home down-spirited, but not without faith in ultimate 
success. Four years more of struggle passed, with much 
persistent effort before Congress; the session of 1842-’43 had 
nearly closed, and he had retired late on the evening of its 
last day to liis lodgings, despairing of any favorable action in 
his behalf, expecting to leave for home the next day; but, on 
the morning of March 4, 1843, he was cheered and surprised 
by the report that the desired aid by Congress had been ob¬ 
tained at the midnight hour of the expiring session, placing 
$30,000 at his disposal for an experimental line, to be run as 
proposed, from Washington to Baltimore. The work was 
completed in 1844, and fairly demonstrated to the world both 
the practicability and utility of his system of electro-magnetic 
telegraph. 

At this day, in 1872, there are no doubt more than 100,000 
miles of these telegraph lines in operation throughout the 
different countries in the world. 

Honors from nearly all civilized countries have been awarded 
him. In 1848 Yale college conferred on him the compli¬ 
mentary degree of LL. D.; and in the same year he received 
the decoration of the Nishan Iftichar, set in diamonds, from 
the Sultan of Turkey. Gold medals of scientific merit were 
awarded him by the King of Prussia (set in a massive gold 
snuff-box), the King of Wurtemberg, and the Emperor of 
Austria. From the Emperor of the French he received, in 
1856, the cross of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor; in 1857, 
from the King of Denmark, the cross of Knight of the Danne- 
brog; and in 1858, from the Queen of Spain, the cross of the 
Knight Commander of the Order of Isabella the Catholic. 
He was also a member of many European and American 
scientific and art societies and academies. 


WOODSTOCK. 


385 


A later and most distinguished honor was paid him by an 
honorary gratuity bestowed by several European governments, 
whose representatives met, at the instance of the late Emperor 
of the French, in Paris, to consider the best means of giving 
the inventor a collective testimonial. Ten States were repre¬ 
sented, viz.: France, Russia, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Aus¬ 
tria, Sardinia, Tuscany, the Holy See, and Turkey. Their 
deliberations at two sessions resulted in a vote of 400,000 
francs, as an honorary and personal reward to Mr. Morse for 
his useful labors. 

In 1856 the telegraph companies of Great Britain united to 
give Mr. Morse a banquet in London, at which Mr. William 
Fothergill Cooke presided; and in Paris, in 1858, another 
banquet was given him by Americans, numbering more than 
one hundred, and representing almost every State in the 
Union. Submarine telegraphy originated also with Professor 
Morse, who laid the first submarine telegraph line in Hew 
York harbor in 1842, and received at the time from the Amer¬ 
ican institute a gold medal for that achievement. 

In a letter from Mr. Morse to the Secretary of the United 
States Treasury, dated, “August 10,1843,” it is believed occurs 
the first suggestion of the project of the Atlantic telegraph. 

In October, 1837, Professor Morse filed a caveat in the 
patent office to secure his invention, and he obtained his patent 
in 1840, covering the improvements he had then made in the 
apparatus. 

The idea of a submarine telegraph had been entertained by 
different parties a number of years before any successful ex¬ 
periment was made. 

On the 18th of October, 1842, Professor Morse laid a cop¬ 
per wire, insulated by means of a hempen strand coated with 
tar, pitch, and India rubber, from Governor’s island to the 
Battery in New York, and the next morning was beginning to 
receive communications through it, when the wire was caught 
26 


386 


WOODSTOCK. 


by the anchor of a vessel, and a large part of the line hauled 
on board the vessel that did the mischief, and was carried off 
by the sailors. Several similar tests of submarine telegraphs, 
both in Europe and America, gave convincing evidence that 
distance under water was no obstacle in the way of a success¬ 
ful result in transmitting messages by the electric current, 
provided the line could be perfectly laid from one terminus to 
the other. Thus the idea of a line across the Atlantic ocean, 
connecting Europe with America, was made to appear feasible, 
and a profitable enterprise. Before making the actual attempt 
to lay this connecting wire on the bed of the Atlantic, it was 
deemed a matter of prudence to test the power of the electric 
current and means of sending the same so great a distance, 
which was done by a coil of wire 2,300 miles in length, insu¬ 
lated with gutta-percha. Signals were passed through this 
extended line by the magnetic electric coils of Mr. Whitehouse, 
and the signals received upon the ordinary recording appara¬ 
tus of Professor Morse. 

Mr. Cyrus W. Field was one of the most active parties in 
this great enterprise. It was found on laying this lengthy 
submarine cable that to force the electric current such distance 
under water new methods were required, as it was ascertained 
that insulated wires acquire a new character when submerged, 
and instead of transmitting the current as simple conductors, 
they are of the nature of the Leyden jar, the gutta-percha cor¬ 
responding to the glass, the inner wire to the interior coating, 
and the iron coating, or the fluid surrounding the cable, to the 
exterior conducting surface; and that, consequently, the cable 
must be charged throughout the entire length before any 
effect is produced. 

Among other interesting phenomena, it was observed that 
the voltaic current is not transmitted so rapidly through such 
a conductor as the magneto-electric current; that several dis¬ 
tinct impulses may pass in succession, at the same time, one 


WOODSTOCK. 387 

after the other, through the wire within certain limits without 
interference; and that alternating positive and negative cur¬ 
rents are transmitted many times more rapidly than successive 
impulses of the same character. 

The first great line of the Atlantic cable connecting the 
European and American continents was commenced in 1857, 
and completed, August 5, 1858. After being laid, the wires 
were first worked by the Ruhmkorff induction coils and a 
Smee’s battery, and afterwards with a Daniell battery; hut 
the current was for the most part so weak as scarcely to work 
the most delicate relay, susceptible to an impulse that could 
hardly be perceived on the tongue. The effect was indicated 
at the Newfoundland station by the deflection of a delicate 
galvanometer, and at Yalentia, in Ireland, by that of the reflect¬ 
ing galvanometer of Professor William Thompson, the effect 
of which is to multiply the movement in a ray of light re¬ 
flected from a mirror attached to a very delicate magnetic 
needle. This ray being thrown upon a surface at some dis¬ 
tance, a movement of the needle, that is otherwise imper¬ 
ceptible, may be even measured upon a graduated scale. The 
transmitted current was, much of the time that the cable 
continued in action, so weak, that every expedient of this kind 
was necessary to render the signals perceptible. 

From the first there appears to have been a defect in the 
part of the cable laid toward the Irish shore, which caused a 
temporary interruption of communication that passed between 
the ships engaged in laying this line, and excited much fear 
for the result of the enterprise, until these were renewed ; 
and it is generally believed that the very imperfect signals 
during the time they passed through it, from August 13 to 
September 1, were attributable to this original defect as the 
main cause. During this time 129 messages were sent from 
Yalentia to Newfoundland, and 271 from August 10, in the 
other direction. The message from Queen Yictoria to the 


388 


WOODSTOCK. 


President of the United States, containing ninety-nine words, 
occupied in its transmission to Newfoundland sixty-seven 
minutes. Great efforts with the most powerful batteries, aided 
by the most scientific persons, were .employed to keep the cur¬ 
rent flowing, and telegraphic communications continued, but 
the current ceased the 20th of October following. 

This first unfortunate attempt for laying the Atlantic cable 
was very discouraging, and proved almost fatal to the enter¬ 
prise. But Mr. Cyrus W. Field, not feeling disposed to yield 
to this first failure, visited England in 1862, with the design 
to carry out this enterprise. 

He consulted Messrs. Glass & Elliott, who were the most 
experienced parties in both the manufacture of cables and the 
laying of the same. They had recently been successful in lay¬ 
ing a cable for the French government between France and 
Algeria, 520 miles in length, which was then in perfect and 
successful working order. 

This was laid in water as deep as any between Ireland and 
Newfoundland. They also referred to other extensive lines, 
particularly the one they laid under the direction of the British 
government, extending from Malta to Alexandria, in length 
1518 miles. They expressed great confidence in their ability 
to construct and lay a line across the Atlantic, and were wil¬ 
ling to risk a liberal subscription to the stock. The estimated 
amount of the capital required was $3,000,000 of which, 
up to the year 1865, half had been subscribed, and in addition 
the government of the United States engaged to contribute 
annually the sum of $75,000 the same to be applied to the 
use they might make of the line in communications, and the 
English government engaged for the same object in like man¬ 
ner $100,000. The two governments also gave a joint guar¬ 
antee of eight per cent, on the capital expended while the line 
works. 

This cable, as manufactured, was 2,600 miles in length, 


WOODSTOCK. 


389 


and one and one eighth inches in diameter; the whole 
weight being over 5,000 tons. The connection with the shore 
was made, and the laying commenced, July 1, same year, 
and continued until 1,062 miles had been run, and 1,186 
miles of cable payed out, when, through some defect, it 
parted, the end sank to the bottom, and after several trials to 
grapple it (at a depth to the ocean bed of 15,000 feet) had 
proved unavailing, the job was abandoned until the ensuing 
year. 

A new cable was constructed, in length 2730 nautical miles, 
part of which was designed to complete the cable of 1865. 

After making fast the new cable of 1866, having laid twenty- 
seven and a half miles in shoal water, and making all neces¬ 
sary preparations, the fleet of vessels used for laying the same 
(among them the Great Eastern) commenced paying out on 
July 13, at 3.20 o’clock, p. m., and on Friday, July 27, at 8 
o’clock, a. m., the squadron arrived off Heart’s Content, Trin¬ 
ity Bay, Newfoundland, the distance run being 1,660 miles, 
and length of cable payed out 1,864 miles, showing a total 
slack of about eleven per cent. On the same day the end of 
the cable was brought to the shore by the ship Medway, and 
Mr. Field telegraphed intelligence of the completion of the 
work to President Johnson, as follows: 

“Heart’s Content, Friday, July 27, 1806. 

“ To His Excellency President Johnson, Washington. 

“ Sir: The Atlantic cable was successfully completed this morning. 

I hope that it will prove a blessing to England and the United States, 
and increase the intercourse between our own country and the Eastern 
hemisphere. 

“ Yours faithfully, 

“CYRUS W. FIELD.” 

The fleet and company which had laid this cable of 1866, now 
turned its attention to the lost cable of 1865, and succeeded 
on August 10, in finding its location and grappling it; but 
it was not until it had been raised several times nearly to the 


390 


WOODSTOCK. 


surface, that it was finally secured and held, to be connected 
with the new cable that had been made and brought to com¬ 
plete the entire line. Finally, September 1, several of the ves¬ 
sels had grappled it, and each succeeded in raising it up from 
its bed, while the Great Eastern brought the end on board. 
A splice was effected in latitude 51° 52' 20", and longitude 35° 
5' 20" on the 2d, at 6:45, a. m. The work of laying the bal¬ 
ance of the line now commenced, and was soon successful in 
completing a second line. From the island of Newfoundland 
and through all the other intermediate waters the cable had 
previously been laid, making a complete connection with the 
main-land, thus furnishing, in 1866, two lines of communica¬ 
tion between the two continents. 

It has been estimated that not less than $6,000,000 were 
expended at the time of laying and completing the two lines. 

ABIEL HOLMES, D. D., LL. D. 

Dr. Holmes was the son of Dr. David Holmes, a surgeon 
in the French war, and on the breaking out of the war of 
the Revolution was again engaged in that capacity, and 
served four years. 

He was born in Woodstock, December 24, 1763. Died in 
Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 4, 1837. He was at the 
age of sixteen when his father died, in 1779, a graduate of 
Yale college in 1783, and for a time tutor in that institution, 
while prosecuting his studies in theology. 

Having closed his studies at New Haven, he became the 
minister for a religious society in the parish of Midway, in 
Georgia, in the year 1785, where he remained till compelled 
by ill-health to resign his pastorate in 1791. 

In the preceding year he had married Mary, daughter of 
President Stiles, of Yale college, who died, August 29, 1795. 
He was installed as pastor of the first religious society at Cam¬ 
bridge, January 25, 1792, which charge he held till Septem- 


WOODSTOCK. 


391 


ber 26, 1832. On the death of President Stiles he received 
liis large collection of manuscripts, containing researches upon 
many subjects. From the careful examination of these papers 
Dr. Holmes wrote and published the life of Dr. Stiles, in 1798. 

The examination of these manuscripts led his mind in the 
way of gathering up historical facts relating to America. 

The continuation of these researches enabled him to publish 
“ The Annals of America,” the first edition in two volumes 
8vo, at Cambridge, in 1805, which has since maintained 
its place as the leading authority in American history. This 
was published in England in 1813, and republished in an 
enlarged edition in this country in 1829. 

He was an active member of the Massachusetts Historical 
society, and among the valuable researches in this behalf are 
his “ Memoirs of the Huguenot Settlement at Oxford,” pub¬ 
lished in the third volume of the second series of the “ Collec¬ 
tions” of that society in 1830. 

He married, for his second wife, in 1800, Sarah, daughter 
of the Hon. Oliver Wendell, of Boston ; and among the three 
children by this marriage is Oliver Wendell Holmes, M. D., a 
physician and poet, born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, 
August 29, 1809; a graduate of Harvard college in 1829; 
visited Europe, traveling extensively there in 1832 and some 
years following; and gave attendance at various hospitals at 
Paris and other cities. 

He received the degree of M. D. in 1836, and in 1838 was 
chosen professor of anatomy and physiology in Dartmouth 
college. On the resignation of Dr. J. C. Warren in 1847, he 
was elected to fill the same office in the medical department 
of Harvard college. As a poet and humorous writer he is 
scarcely equaled; while his writings upon medical science 
have been numerous and of much value. Dr. O. W. Holmes 
married the daughter of Charles Jackson, Esq., late of Bos¬ 
ton, where he makes it his home. Here is again exhibited 


392 


WOODSTOCK. 


the succession of intellectual ability, through three successive 
generations, of superior quality.* 

JOHN MARCY. 

This Mr. Marcy was one of the first planters and founders 
of Woodstock, and is the great ancestor of the lion. William 
Learned Marcy, late Governor of New York. 

Tills family will be more particularly referred to in connec¬ 
tion with the historical sketch of Southbridge. 

JOHN CHANDLER and JOHN CHANDLER, Jr. 

These names appear among the founders of Woodstock, as 
influential in its affairs. There is no one name connected with 
the history of this town, from its origin to the present time, 
that lias sustained itself more creditably than that of Chandler. 
While there has no one of the name shown conspicuously 
brilliant, they have, through all the entire period, been prom¬ 
inent and influential citizens. It has often represented this 
town in the Colonial legislatures of both Massachusetts and 
Connecticut, and one of the first to represent the town in the 
latter colony, when it passed to that jurisdiction. 

In the formation of the county of Worcester this name 
stands honorably connected with the first organization of its 
judicial affairs.f 

John Chandler was one of the first justices of the court of 

* The great ancestor of the family of Holmes in Woodstock was John Holmes, one of the 
first planters here. The records of the town show that he married Hannah Newell, April 0, 
1690 ; certified to by Rev. Josiah Dwight, their first minister. 

t The county of Worcester was formed by an act of the Legislature of Massachusetts, 
passed, April 2, 1731, as follows: “That the towns of Worcester, Lancaster, Westbor- 
ough, Shrewsbury, Soutliborough, Leicester, Rutland, and Lunenburg, all in the county 
of Middlesex ; Mendon, Woodstock, Oxford, Sutton, including Hassanamisco, Uxbridge, 
and the land lately granted to several petitioners of Medfield, all in the county of Suf¬ 
folk; Brookfield, in the county of Hampshire; and the South town, laid out to the Narra- 
ganset soldiers; and all other lands lying within the said townships, with the inhabitants 
thereon,—shall from and after the 10th day of July, which will be in the year of our Lord 
one thousand and thirty-one, be a county by the name of Worcester.” 




WOODSTOCK. 


393 


Common Pleas, and his son, clerk of the same court; the other 
justices of this court, at this time, were Joseph Wilder, of Lan¬ 
caster, William Ward, of Southborough, and William Jenni- 
son, of Worcester,* and Daniel Gookin,f sheriff. 

In the year 1754, John Chandler, Junior, who had, from the 
first establishing of the Common Pleas court here, been 
the clerk, was now appointed judge, and by a new organiza¬ 
tion of this court in 1757, he was the chief, with Edward 
Hartwell, Thomas Steel, and Timothy Buggies, as associates. 

Judge Chandler held this office till 1762, when he resigned, 
after being connected with the Common Pleas court of the 
county of Worcester thirty one years. This Mr. Chandler 
was also clerk of the court of General Sessions of the Peace 
for this county, from its first organization in 1731 to 1751, 
twenty years. 

It also appears that John Chandler, Senior, of Woodstock, 
was also the first judge of probate for the county of Wor¬ 
cester, and John Chandler, Junior, was the first register of 
probate. 

The descendants of this family have held office under this 
county almost 'continuously in some of the departments, a 
large portion of the time since its incorporation in 1731, and 
there are descendants now residing in Worcester of much 
distinction. 

In August, 1735, Governor Belcher, with the members of 
his council on their way to Albany, to hold a conference with 
the Iroquois (Six Nations), called at Worcester; the justices of 


* At the first session of this court, August 10,1731, the Rev. John Prentice, of Lancas¬ 
ter, preached a sermon from the text, n Chronicles, chap, xix, 6th and 7 th verses: “And 
said to the judges, take heed what you do; for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, 
who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now, let the fear of the Lord be upon you, 
take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of per¬ 
sons, nor taking of gifts.” 

t This Daniel Gookin was grandsoD of Major General Daniel Gookin, the chairman of 
the committee of the General Court, who made the first report in favor of granting a 
town in this middle place, in the way between Boston and Springfield. Mr. Gookin held 
this office till his decease in 1743. 



394 


WOODSTOCK. 


the General Sessions, with other citizens, waited upon him. 
Their complimentary address to the governor is preserved, as 
follows: 

“May it please your Excellency, we, liis Majesty’s Justices of the 
Court of General Sessions of the Peace, now holden at this place for the 
county of Worcester, by adjournment, humbly beg leave to congratulate 
your Excellency’s safe arrival in this part of your government.” It is 
with hearts full of joy that we now see your Excellency’s face, together 
with his honorable council, in the shire town of this county, which has 
received its being and constitution by the favor of your Excellency 
under the Divine conduct and benediction, and by whose wise, mild, and 
just administration this whole province enjoys great quietness, which 
we trust will be continued and accepted in all places, and in all thank¬ 
fulness. We are also sensibly affected that your Excellency has conde¬ 
scended, and is now pursuing, a very necessary, although a very tedious 
journey to visit the Western frontiers, and meet with the Cagnawaga 
Indians and such tribes as may be desirous to renew their friendship 
with this government, in order to preserve and perpetuate the happy 
peace established with them. May your Excellency and the honorable 
gentlemen of the council, and such of the honorable House of Repre¬ 
sentatives as attend you, be compassed with Divine favor as with a 
shield, and in due timqreturn in safety to your respective habitations.” 

The Hon. John Chandler having read this address in the 
above language, his excellency was pleased to return the fol¬ 
lowing answer : 

“ Gentlemen: I thank you very kindly for the welcome you give me 
with the honorable gentlemen of his Majesty’s council, and the gentle¬ 
men of the House of Representatives, into this part of his Majesty’s 
province. 

“I take this opportunity of assuring you that I shall always cheer¬ 
fully join my power with yours, that justice and judgment may flourish 
in the county of Worcester, which will greatly contribute to the happi¬ 
ness and welfare of the people.” 

During the French war, and the capture of Louisburg and 
Cape Breton, as well as the French wars running from 1754 
to 1762, officers by the name of Morse, Chandler, Holmes, 
Marcy, McClellan, Lyon, and Manning were in the field, and, 
as Woodstock was the oldest town, and at this time the most 


WOODSTOCK. 


395 


wealthy and populous in this interior of New England, its 
cpiota of men for both the French and Revolutionary wars 
exceeded that of any other town in this section of the country. 

After the campaign conducted by Colonel William Johnson 
and General Phineas Lyman against the French in the sum¬ 
mer of 1755, commanded by Baron Dieskau, as referred to 
in another place, Captain Israel Putnam, who, with a com¬ 
pany of men raised in Woodstock and Pomfret, had partici¬ 
pated with honor in that campaign, was ordered to raise a 
company of men to hold possession of Fort Edward during 
the ensuing winter of 1755-’56. 

The following are the names of the officers and soldiers 
that composed that command, which, at the request of this 
writer, were furnished from the State archives of Connec¬ 
ticut by the State librarian, the Hon. Charles J. Hoadley. 

A roll of Captain Israel Putnam’s company in garrison at 
Fort Edward, December 5, 1755. 

The names, time of enlistment, and date of their discharge, 
are given in the roll, as follows : 


Names. 

Time of Enlisting. 

Discharged. 

Captain Israel Putnam 

November 25, 1755 

May 30, 1756. 

Lieutenant Nathaniel Porter 

a 

April 26 ‘ ‘ 

“ Henry Chapin 

u 

“ 29 “ 

Sergeant Henry Pearson 

“ 24 “ 

May 24 “ 

“ Peter Leavens 

“ 25 “ 

“ 24 “ 

“ Peleg Sunderland 

December 10 u 

April 26 ‘ ‘ 

“ William Manning 

November 25 “ 

May 30 “ 

Corporal David Cleaveland 

“ 25 “ 

“ 30 “ 

“ Nathan Hale 

“ 26 “ 

“ 30 “ 

“ David Whitmore 

“ 24 “ 

“ 30 “ 

“ Thomas Lyon 

“ 25 “ 

April 6 “ 

Drummer Nathan Bacon 

“ 25 “ 

May 30 “ 

Clerk Isaac Dean 

“ 25 ‘‘ 

o 

CO 

Soldier Robert Austin 

“ 25 “ 

April 4 ‘ * 

“ Matthew Davis 

“ 25 “ 

May 30 “ 

“ Daniel Isham 

“ 24 “ 

o 

CO 







396 


WOODSTOCK. 


Names. 

Time of Enlisting . 

Discharged. 

Soldier Micaj ah Torry 

November 24, 1755, 

April 4, 1756. 

4 ‘ Eliphalet Carpenter 

44 25 44 

May 30 44 

44 Samuel White 

44 25 44 

44 30 44 

44 Littlefield Nash 

44 25 44 

44 30 44 

44 Jeremiah Jackson 

44 25 44 

44 30 44 

44 Peter Bowen 

44 25 44 

44 30 44 

4 4 Timothy Harrington 

44 25 44 

44 30 44 

44 Giles Harris 

44 25 44 

44 30 44 

44 Ebenezer Cary 

44 24 44 

44 30 44 

44 John Austin 

44 25 44 

April 9 “ 

44 Aaron Dewey 

44 24 44 

May 30 44 

44 John Waters 

44 25 44 

44 29 44 

44 Eli Lewis 

44 24 44 

44 23 44 

44 Samuel Horton 

44 26 44 

44 30 44 

44 Ezekiel White 

44 24 44 

April 21 44 

44 Robert Newell 

44 24 44 

May 29 44 

44 Samuel Webb 

44 24 44 

44 29 44 

44 Gideon Webb 

44 24 44 

44 29 44 

4 4 Solomon Mack 

44 24 44 

44 29 44 

4 4 Zaccheus Crow 

44 24 44 

41 29 44 

44 Roger Crow 

44 24 44 

44 28 44 

44 Charles Biles 

44 23 44 

44 30 44 

44 Edward Try on 

44 24 “ 

44 29 44 

44 Edad Parson 

44 25 44 

44 29 “ 

44 Stephen Pease 

44 24 44 

March 20 44 

44 Wareham Pease 

44 24 44 

44 20 44 

4 4 Thomas Brigdon 

44 26 44 

44 29 44 

44 James Hartford 

44 25 44 

44 29 44 

44 Thomas Eddy 

44 25 44 

44 20 “ 

44 George Gregory 

44 25 44 

44 24 44 

44 John Metcalf 

44 24 44 

January 23, 1756. 

44 John Philips 

44 25 44 

December 25,1755. 

44 John Hutchinson 

44 24 44 

January 22, 1756. 

44 Benjamin Shipman 

44 24 44 

February 7, 1756. 


The inhabitants ot Woodstock will recognize this list of 
names as being chiefly from that town. 

There is scarcely a name among the founders of Woodstock 
that has not come down to the present time with honor, either 
by their own acts or those of their descendants. 














WOODSTOCK. 


397 


Henry and John Bowen are found among the first planters. 
This name, through all the history of the town, has held a 
high position, frequently as representatives in the Colonial 
legislature, and since in the State, and through the French 
and Revolutionary wars, as well as in the affairs of town, and 
religious societies. 

But while we refer to those of the past, it is proper here to 
mention one of the present day, who is doing so much for the 
benefit and advancement of this ancient place. 

Whoever may have visited this Puritan town a quarter of a 
century or more since, and witnessed the change of appear¬ 
ance since that period, particularly the old south village, must 
have discovered great improvements, indicating wisdom, com¬ 
bined with artistic taste. 

Formerly, the old south village, located on the hill at what 
has sometimes been called “ South Woodstock,” presented 
to the eye a broad, naked, common ground, descending south¬ 
erly, without a tree or shrub to break the general monotony 
of the place ; while the surrounding dwellings and the meet¬ 
ing-house, all painted white, afforded but little contrast to 
what is generally seen in common-place country villages, that 
have lost much of the little life and energy that once there 
prevailed. 

The little hotel and store was at the north part of this 
common ground, and near to it stood the academy structure, 
erected in 1801 ; and when beheld at the former period here 
referred to, had the dilapidated appearance of age, like most 
things and places that betoken the absence of the owner ; but 
now all this is changed: instead of the broad, naked, common 
ground, may be seen some beautiful parks, displaying fine 
cut lawns, with many ornamental shade-trees, and the grounds 
supplied with nicely-arranged asphaltum walks, with here and 
there, artistically placed, elegant flowering shrubs and plants ; 
while the old, dilapidated academy has been rejuvenated, 


398 


WOODSTOCK. 


being well painted, and at this time showing a good state of 
prosperity, by the number of about 100 students, with a large 
new structure in process of erection near to, for academic 
purposes, of a capacity for 250 or more scholars. 

The writer, on visiting this old parish village in the summer 
of 1872, having last before seen it about thirty years since, 
was agreeably surprised at the change that had taken place, 
relieving it from a barren monotony in its general appearance, 
that bore evidence of decay, and giving the whole landscape 
in view that of great beauty and thrift. 

The natural impulse was to learn what had been the moving 
cause to produce such a marked change in this staid old place. 
On the first view, at this time, when coming upon the hill of 
this village, the thought was that a mistake had been made in 
taking the road that led here, and that we had rode in another 
direction, but seeing the old academy, that idea proved ground¬ 
less, as it was plainly seen that we had come to the place we 
designed. 

By inquiry, it was ascertained that Mr. Henry C. Bowen, 
a native, after an absence of many years, and accumulating an 
ample fortune, returned some years since, and now makes 
this village his summer residence, and by way of amusement, 
has occupied his leisure hours here, by expending a portion 
of his income to give beauty, comfort, and prosperity to the 
place of his childhood and youth. Many thousands of dollars 
have been expended for this object. Beautiful parks and 
thousands of trees are seen as a part of these labors and expen¬ 
ditures, while his spacious mansion, finely adjusted grounds, 
with trees, shrubs, plants, gardens, and lawns, about the same, 
are evidences of good taste as well as liberality. 

The present condition of the old academy, and the erection 
of the spacious new structure for academic purposes, before 
referred to, have been principally the result of his capital and 
influence. 



















































































WOODSTOCK. 


399 


HENRY C. BOWEN. 

This Mr. Bowen, son of George Bowen, and his wife Lydia 
Wolcott Eaton, who was a daughter of Dr. John Eliot Eaton, 
of Dudley, in the line of descent from Rev. John Eliot, the 
apostle to the Indians, and Henry Wolcott, one of the founders 
of Connecticut, was born at Woodstock, September 11, 1813. 
His father was a merchant, and many years the postmaster of 
this town ; justice of the peace, possessing a handsome estate, 
and enjoyed the confidence and respect of his townsmen, and 
those of the vicinity generally. The subject of this notice was 
his oldest son, who, having closed his school days at the age 
of fifteen years, entered his father’s store as clerk, and assist¬ 
ant postmaster ; he was soon intrusted with the responsibility 
of purchasing the supplies for the store, many of which, for the 
dry goods department, were bought in New York of Arthur 
Tappan & Co., where young Bowen, from his activity and 
business qualities, attracted the attention of the head of this 
noted establishment, who addressed a letter to his father with 
a request for his son to enter as a clerk in their business, then 
the most extensive silk and fancy goods importing and job¬ 
bing house in the country. This request being granted, Mr. 
Bowen, at the age of twenty, became installed in the silk 
department, the most important branch of Mr. Tappan’s busi¬ 
ness, under a five years’ clerkship, at an average salary of 
$500 per annum. He soon became chief manager of this most 
important section, and the exclusive buyer in this branch 
under his charge. 

At the close of this clerkship, Mr. Lewis Tappan, a partner 
in the house, informed Mr. Bowen of the idea he had enter¬ 
tained of forming a new house in the same line of business, 
and proposed to him to join as a partner; but the general 
principle which Mr. Tappan desired to incorporate into the 
new firm—that of giving away for benevolent and other 


400 


WOODSTOCK. 


objects, annually, a stated per cent, of the profits, being re¬ 
garded as objectionable, and furthermore a preference for 
having a house exclusively under his own control, led him to 
decline this offer. This rejection of Mr. Lewis Tappan’s 
friendly advance toward him did not cause that friendship to 
be withdrawn, as Mr. Tappan at once offered to befriend him 
in arranging for a new house, and introduced Mr. John Ran¬ 
kin, a wealthy silk merchant, who had proposed to furnish 
capital for Tappan and Bowen had that connection been 
formed. He at once extended the like offer to Mr. Bowen for 
such a house as he might deem best to form; thus being pro 
vided with the means for business, he invited a fellow-clerk, 
Mr. Theodore McHamee, to join, with Mr. Rankin as special 
partner, under the name of Bowen & McNamee; when Mr. 
Lewis Tappan decided to remain in the old house of Arthur 
Tappan & Co. 

This connection was for five years, which proved very pro¬ 
fitable, when Mr. Rankin withdrew, receiving his share of the 
profits, with the money advanced, and Bowen & McNamee 
continued the business to the year 1857, when this firm was 
dissolved, and a new firm, styled Bowen, Holmes & Co., 
was formed, which continued until the beginning of the late 
Rebellion, when, in consequence of heavy losses, Mr. Bowen 
decided to withdraw from the dry goods trade. He settled 
the affairs of the firm, and embarked in the publishing of 
newspapers, to which a considerable amount of the late firm’s 
funds had been previously engaged. This was in connection 
with the well-known paper, styled the Independent , which now 
came under Mr. Bowen’s personal management, and, as a 
profitable enterprise, has been a great success. In 1869 he 
bought the entire establishment of the Brooklyn Daily Union. 

Two sons of Mr. Bowen, then engaged in Wall street, 
Hew York, were admitted partners in this new enterprise. 
Mr. Bowen gives his morning labors to the Brooklyn paper, 


WOODSTOCK. 


401 


ancl the afternoon to the Independent , both exhibiting a high 
degree of prosperity, giving ample evidence of activity and 
skill in their management. 

Mr. Bowen possesses, in a large degree, self-reliance and 
independence of thought and action, and these may be con¬ 
sidered his chief characteristics, united with great activity and 
industry. 

It is not surprising that this independence of thought 
and action should occasionally cause unkind feeling with 
some who differ with him in their business, religious, and 
political sentiments. Previous to the late Rebellion, many of 
the business men of New York who were largely engaged in 
the Southern trade, were disposed to yield to pro slavery 
ideas ; and, knowing that Mr. Bowen had a large trade in that 
section, though advocating and supporting the anti-slavery 
party, remonstrated with him, and endeavored to have him be 
less severe in his denunciations in that respect, when he made 
that well-known but characteristic reply, “ My goods are for 
sale, but not my principles.” 

Mr. Bowen may be regarded as a prominent type of Puri¬ 
tanism in his religious sentiments, tempered with modern 
ideas, being an orthodox Congregationalist, and has done much 
to sustain that religious denomination. He has the honor of 
being thefirst to suggest the ideaof church-building associations. 

This suggestion was made at a convention of Congregation- 
alists held at Albany, many years since, when he was a dele¬ 
gate to that body, having been selected with a view to bring 
forward this object at that convention, from the fact of his 
advocating the church-building question. 

At first, the idea was opposed by the committee for regula- 
ing the business to be acted upon by the convention, as im¬ 
practicable ; but, by his persistent and sanguine efforts in its 
favor, this question was entered among the list of business to 
be brought forward in this convention for discussion. 

27 


402 


WOODSTOCK. 


When brought up in the regular course before this body it 
at first met with a cold reception, but the same unyielding 
effort was now made before the convention as before the com ¬ 
mittee, whom he had induced to enter it upon their list of 
business. 

As a test of his firmness of belief in the utility of this 
measure, and his boldness in sustaining his views, he proposed 
at once to contribute $10,000, provided $50,000 should be 
raised, to be known as the “ Church-Building Fund.” This 
step produced the desired effect: the vote was unanimous in 
its favor; an amount exceeding the gross sum proposed was 
soon raised, and the church-building fund system established, 
which has since become a prominent measure with nearly all 
religious denominations. 

Mr. Bowen’s liberality and influence has extended to vari¬ 
ous objects. Several banks and insurance companies have 
been created by his efforts, besides his ardent support ot 
objects of a religious and educational character. 

In his native town he has recently appropriated $5,000 for 
land for a park, and is expending his funds liberally in intro¬ 
ducing driveways and paths, besides doing many things for 
ornamentation. 

Some of the other distinguished names here are those of 
May, Lyon, Child, Payne, Bacon, Corbin, and McClellan. Of 
the latter, John and James McClellan’s families held a high 
position here many years, and some of their descendants have 
been persons of distinction in other parts of the country. 
Dr. George McClellan, son of James, of this town, became 
a very distinguished surgeon in Philadelphia, and his son, 
H. B. McClellan, now of Boston, is a doctor of medicine 
of considerable reputation; while his brother, General 
George B. McClellan, sustains a distinguished position in 
military science and civil engineering throughout the country. 

General Nathaniel Lyon, born at Ashford, who lost his life 


WOODSTOCK. 


403 


in the battle of Wilson’s Creek, in the south-west part of Mis¬ 
souri, August 11, 1861, in the beginning of the Rebellion, was 
a descendant from the Lyon family of Woodstock. His ability 
as a military officer was of a high order, and his management 
of military affairs in Missouri exhibited such promptness and 
sagacity that it was due to him more than any other person 
that Missouri was prevented from becoming a secession State, 
and retained on the side of the Union. 

Among the name of Child there may be mentioned Colonel 
Chester Child, Peter Child, Deacon Luther Child, and his son, 
Rev. Willard Child, D. D., now of Norwich; also, the late 
Rensalier Child, noted as surveyor and conveyancer, and his 
sons, Peleg, the Hon. Asa Child, and Hon. Linus Child. 
The latter will again be referred to in another place. 

In referring again to the village of the south parish it may 
be added to what has been before remarked, that the sur¬ 
rounding landscape, as viewed from the hill, and particularly 
as seen from what is called “ Sunset Hill,” is one of great 
beauty, exhibiting ponds, rivulets, hills, and valleys, with an 
extensive range of highly-cultivated fields, interspersed with 
occasional forests, and many farm-houses, besides here and 
there the spire of a meeting-house, all giving evidence of 
quietness, good neighborhood, and prosperity. A view of 
greater or equal beauty it would be difficult to find. 

The chief occupation of the inhabitants here is farming; 
that of manufacturing and mechanical enterprise is only to a 
moderate extent; but nowhere can be found a more equal 
distribution of property, less poverty, or fewer instances of 
large estates; where the masses are good livers, prosperous 
and happy in the condition that has come down to them from 
past generations, preserving their social status more free from 
foreign admixture than is found in towns generally in New 
England. 











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DUDLEY. 


Section IV. 


CHAPTER I. 

^/^.N act for making a new town in the county of Worcester 
by the name of Dudley : 

“ Whereas , There are many inhabitants in a tract of land lying be¬ 
tween the towns of Woodstock and Oxford, in the county of Worcester, 
who, together with others lately settled in the south-west part of Oxford, 
and very remote from any place of public worship of God, are very 
conveniently situated for a town, and have petitioned this court to be 
erected into a separate township, accordingly, 

“Be it enacted, By his excellency, the Governor, the Council, and 
House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the au¬ 
thority of the same, that all the lands lying within the bounds follow¬ 
ing, viz., the colony or Patent Line and the town of Woodstock on 
the south; the grant lately made to Medfield on the west; the land of 
Mr. Papillon on the north, unto the farm belonging to Paul Dudley; 
Esq.; and by the same partly on'the east, until it comes to Stony Brook; 
and by said brook till it comes to the brook coming out of Chabana- 
konkamon Pond; and by the pond to the said colony or Patent Line,— 
be and hereby is set off and constituted a distinct and separate town¬ 
ship by the name of Dudley. And that the inhabitants of the said 
township be vested with the powers, ^privileges, and immunities that 
the inhabitants of any of the towns of this province by law are or ought 
to be vested with.”* 

Included within the limits of this grant for Dudley was‘a 
part of the tract of land selected by the descendants of the 
ancient Nipmuck Indians, which they reserved in their deeds 

* December, 1731. See State Library Acts, 1692 to 1740. 


28 



406 


DUDLEY. 


to the agents of the province, dated, “February 10, 1681,” as 
given in another part of this work. Having the right of se¬ 
lection from the lands thus deeded, a quantity equal to the 
contents of “five miles square ,” they located these lands ex¬ 
tending west from the borders of Chabanakongkamon pond. 

These lands were surveyed out to these Indians in October, 
1684, and extended from said pond some distance west of 
what has since been known as Dudley Hill , including all 
that part, now the center village; and, as stated in the histor¬ 
ical sketch of the Congregational church, that church and 
society received from these Indians “ four acres of this land for 
the location of their meeting-house, and other public purposes.” 

This tract of Indian land was known for many* years after 
the grants for Oxford and Woodstock, as the “ Land of Black 
James and Company.” Black James was a distinguished 
Indian among the people of this tribe. He is mentioned by 
General Goo kin in his description of the several towns of 
these natives, called Praying Indians , which he, as the Indian 
agent of the province, refers to in describing his tour among 
them in the autumn of 1674, when accompanying the Rev. 
John Eliot on his missionary visits to them. 

The greater part of these Indian lands were sold, before 
the town of Dudley was granted, to the Hon. Joseph Dudley, 
who was also the chief owner, by grants from the province, of 
most of the other lands included in the said grant; all of 
which at the time of Mr. Dudley’s decease, April 2, 1720, 
became the property of his sons. 

These sons, Chief-Justice Paul Dudley and the Hon. 
William Dudley, soon after the decease of their father, opened 
these lands for sale. Their location between two thriving 
towns made them desirable for new settlements. The deeds 
of these early sales, beginning in 1721, are found recorded 
upon the records of Suffolk county, at Boston. 

This tract, also Woodstock, Oxford, and New Medfield, 


DUDLEY. 


407 


which subsequently became Sturbridge, was a part of Suffolk 
county, till set off* to form a part of the county of Worcester, 
in 1731. 

It does not appear that Governor Dudley sold any part of 
these lands during his life. He and his friend, the Hon. 
William Stoughton, were the principal owners of all this ter¬ 
ritory; and, as there has not been seen on record any deeds 
from Mr. Stoughton of these lands, it is presumed that, like 
Mr. Dudley, he never made any sales, but left them to his 
heirs or for educational purposes, as a part of the lands he 
left by his will for that object. 

Governor Dudley, it has been shown by the historical 
sketch of Oxford, owned 6,000 acres in that grant, which, as 
appears by the deed of allotment, was at the south-west cor¬ 
ner of the same, adjoining this grant for the town of Dudley, 
and which, at the time this grant was made, is described as 
the land of Mr. Papillon, and, by the history of Southbridge, 
is shown to be a large portion of her territory, covering much 
of her center village. 

The earliest conveyance of land in this grant that has been 
noticed (which is found recorded in the county of Suffolk 
records), is a deed from William Dudley, of Boxbury, to 
John Healy, of the same town, described as lying south of 
Oxford, date 1721, book 38, page 96 ; and a deed from same 
party to Jonas Clark the same year. Also, among the names 
of purchasers about this time are Philip Newell, William 
Ward, Benjamin Newell, Nathaniel Bamsdell, Samuel Newell, 
Joseph Putney, Clement Corbin, Benjamin Sabin, Joseph 
Sabin, Daniel Williams, Joseph and Ebenezer Edmonds, and 
some others, during the period from 1721 to 1729. After 
this period the settlers came in more numerously, when, in 
1731, a petition was presented to the General Court for a 
grant for a township. 

After the act of incorporation had been granted, an order 


408 


DUDLEY. 


was asked for giving the inhabitants, residents of the grant, 
authority for organizing the town, which was given as follows: 

44 House of Representatives, June 1, 1732. 

“ Ordered , That Joseph Edmonds, one of the principal inhabitants of 
the town of Dudley, be directed to improve, notify, and summon the 
inhabitants of the town of Dudley, qualified to vote, to assemble and 
meet together, some time in the present month of June, for the choice 
of town officers, to stand until the next annual election, according to 
law; any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. 

“J. QUINCY, Speaker. 

“ Read and concurred, “J. WILLARD, Secretary. 

44 Consented to, “JONATHAN BELCHER, Governor.' 1 '’ 


The warrant by Joseph Edmonds, summoned the inhabitants 
qualified to vote, to meet at the house of William Carter, 
June 20, 1732, to vote for all the necessary officers for organ¬ 
izing the town, as by law is required, when officers were 
elected, and other business was transacted, as follows: 


“NAMES OF OFFICERS ELECTED. 


‘ ‘ For Moderator, 

‘ ‘ Selectmen , 

1 ‘ Town Clerk , 

‘ 4 Constable, 

4 ‘ Fence Viewers, 

4 4 Ty thing-Men, 

41 Hog Reeves, 

4 4 Treasurer , 


Joseph Edmonds, 
f Joseph Edmonds,' 
j Ebenezer Edmonds, 
James Corbin, 
George Robinson, 
John Lilly. 

John Lilly. 

Joseph Putney. 

\ John Healy, 

' Clement Corbin, 
v Jonathan Newell, 
r Benjamin Conant. 

) David Southwick, 
l Joseph Wakefield. 
Jonathan Newell.” 


The second meeting was held the 29th instant, following. 

“ For Moderator, .... James Corbin.” 


It was then voted to have a minister, and to raise the 



DUDLEY. 


409 


money for his support by a tax upon improved lands and 
stock; and that William Carter’s house be the place to meet 
to hear the Gospel preached. 

The selectmen were authorized to procure a minister; 
Jonathan Newell was appointed to set the Psalms in the 
public worship; and that Joseph Payson should be the man to 
read the Psalms. 

In further pursuance of the business of this meeting, it was 
voted that William Carter’s barn-yard be the pound; and that 
William Carter be the pound-keeper, provided the selectmen 
procure him a lock. 

It was then decided that the meeting-house be set on the 
west end of William Carter’s land, near the Indians’ land. 

Then follows a vote, to give Rev. Isaac Richardson, the 
minister, £150, together with the lot of land of 100 acres, 
given for the minister, by the Hon. William Dudley. Be¬ 
sides this, it was voted that Mr. Richardson have eighty 
pounds salary the first year, and to increase this sum five 
pounds per year, until it be £100. 

A vote was now passed, valuing all the land in town at 
twenty shillings per acre, and to remain at that value seven 
years; also, a committee was chosen to apply to the Legis¬ 
lature to permit a tax on all lands as here voted. 

At this time none but improved lands could be taxed, un¬ 
less so authorized by the General Court. 

The town records show that the selectmen were authorized, 
on the 26th of February, to agree on terms with the Rev. 
Isaac Richardson for a settlement, and a sum for his salary. 

It was also agreed that the day for his ordination, should be 
the first Monday in June ensuing. Twenty-five dollars was 
voted for the expense of the ordination ; and that this service 
should be performed at the house of Joshua Healy. Mr. 
Joseph Edmonds was to provide the refreshments at his house. 

The following gentlemen were the ministers selected to 


410 


DUDLEY. 


be present and to assist in the service of the ordination : 
Rev. Mr. Thayer, of Roxbnry ; Rev. John Fiske, of Killingly, 
Connecticut; Rev. Ebenezer Williams, of Pomfret, Connec¬ 
ticut; Rev. Mr. Jackson, of Woburn; Rev. John Campbell, 
of Oxford; Rev. Amos Throup, of Woodstock; Rev. Martin 
Cabot, of Thompson, and the Rev. Solomon Prentice, of Has- 
sanamisco (Grafton). 

Notwithstanding all this preparation being made, and the 
council, as above called, there is no record of the ordination 
as appointed. It is presumed, for some cause deemed suffi¬ 
cient, it did not take place. On the 12th of June, 1735, Rev. 
Perley Howe was ordained, but was dismissed in 1743. 
Mr. Howe was probably their first settled minister. A vote 
appears on the records of the town, of May 17, 1744, 

“ Appointing Thursday, the 24th next, to be held as a day of solemn 
fasting and prayer to God for counsel and direction in the great and 
important affair before us. Voted unanimously to hold a day of fasting 
and prayer to God for direction in the great and mighty affair of calling 
and settling a minister. Also voted, that Rev. John Campbell, of Ox¬ 
ford, Rev. Abel Stiles, of Woodstock, and Rev. Caleb Rice, of Stur- 
bridge, be the gentlemen to carry on the work of our fast for us. ” 

The result was that Mr. Charles Gleason, of Brookline, 
Massachusetts, was selected and ordained as their pastor, 
October 31, 1744. A settlement of £350 was voted, a 
salary of £180 the first year, and to add five pounds per year, 
until it comes to £200. This was stipulated to be “old tenor 
money” with the addition of twenty cords of wood. It was 
then voted that silver be the standard of value of the money. 

Under the pastoral services of Rev. Charles Gleason (who 
appears to have been a man of character and good practical 
influence among his people), the town advanced in its number 
of inhabitants, and continued in the usual routine of its politi¬ 
cal affairs without any remarkable incident to notice, except 
the French wars and the excitement which culminated in the 


DUDLEY. 


411 


war of the Revolution, till the close of the colonial period. It 
appears that a Baptist church had been formed here at an 
early date in the history of this town. 

The principal members were Joseph Wakefield, Benjamin 
Putney, Raul Robinson, Silas Robinson, Jonathan Putney, 
Francis Courtis, John Courtis, William Wakefield, Jonathan 
Marsh, and James Coats. Their certificate, in accordance 
with the law favoring and exempting Anabaptists from taxes 
for the support of the Standing Order , was presented to the 
assessors, under date of “ May 21, 1744,” and entered on the 
records under date of “September 16, 1746.” This certificate 
was furnished, as provided in the exemption law of 1727, and 
renewed from time to time, until a new exemption law was 
enacted in 1757. Under this latter law, in the year 1772, it 
appears that the town voted to excuse the Baptists from bring¬ 
ing in their certificates during the existence of said law, as 
follows : May 25, 1772, 

Voted: “To excuse the persons that belong to the Baptist church from 
bringing their certificates to the assessors, yearly, so long as the law con¬ 
tinues in favor of the Baptists and Quakers.” 

The preliminary acts of the British government, which 
excited the English colonists and produced the war of the 
Revolution, did not have much effect upon the people of 
Dudley until the year 1774. It appears that the committee 
at Boston appointed by those opposed to the Tea act (and 
especially the sale of teas under the direction of revenue offi¬ 
cers appointed by the crown), in the year 1773, drafted circu¬ 
lars, and sent them to every town in the province, setting forth 
the unconstitutional character of all acts of the English Par¬ 
liament in framing laws for taxing the colonies in America, 
on the ground of non-representation. 

The town of Dudley, having received one of these circulars, 
was requested to bring the subject before its people at a public 


412 


DUDLEY. 


meeting, and to test the views of the town upon the question, 
the object being to unite all the towns in the province in op¬ 
position to the acts of the British Parliament tending directly 
or indirectly to tax the colonies. 

At a town meeting, held on September 20, 1773, it was 
voted not to act upon the letter received from the Boston 
committee. 

Besides the Tea act, then a decidedly objectionable law, 
and one that the leading men of Boston were determined not 
to submit to, there became public a series of letters, known as 
the “Hutchinson and Oliver Letters,” which had been inter¬ 
cepted and returned to Massachusetts by Dr. Franklin, in 
June, 1773. 

These were letters written by Governor Thomas Hutchin¬ 
son and Lieutenant-Governor Andrew Oliver, confidentially, 
to Thomas Whately, Esq., a member of Parliament, disclosing 
the movements of the patriot committee, and the members in 
the General Court who opposed every act of Parliament de¬ 
signed for taxing the colonies. Mr. Whately having deceased 
at this time, these letters, by some means, not disclosed by 
Dr. Franklin, fell into his hands, and were at once by him 
forwarded to the above committee at Boston. This becoming 
known, the Legislature returned copies of these letters with 
a petition to the English government for the removal of these 
officers; but, on trial before a committee of the Privy Coun¬ 
cil, Dr. Franklin was severely dealt with by the attorney who 
acted in behalf of the accused, and these parties, as might 
have reasonably been expected, were acquitted. 

These letters of Hutchinson and Oliver, informing of all 
opposition in Hew England against these movements of Par¬ 
liament, were what that body most desired, and those parties 
who acted as their pimps would not be likely to receive cen¬ 
sure from those they were serving. 

Great efforts were now made to disgrace the character of 


DUDLEY. 


413 


Dr. Franklin for disclosing what they termed private letters; 
his only vindication was, that these letters were written by 
one set of public officers to another, touching public affairs, 
and thus they were not private property, but belonged to the 
public, who had a right to know their contents. 

Notwithstanding the strong resolution and remonstrances to 
the British government against imposing the Tea act upon 
them, the tea, by several ship-loads, came forward into the 
port of Boston. 

Finding that the design was to force these teas upon the 
the people against their urgent appeals to the contrary, par¬ 
ties in disguise boarded these ships, December 18, 1773, and 
discharged the whole cargoes into the harbor, no opposition 
being made. Similar acts were performed in several other 
ports in the English colonies. 

This act destroying the tea, while it produced intense excite¬ 
ment in this country, was generally approved; the excitement 
was none the less in England, but regarded in an opposite 
light. This news reached England on the 7th of March, 1774, 
and the result was the closing the port of Boston as a port of 
entry. The preliminary step in Parliament was the granting 
leave to bring in a bill, 

“For the immediate removal of the officers concerned in the collec¬ 
tion of customs from the town of Boston, in the province of Massachu¬ 
setts Bay, in North America, and to discontinue the landing and ship¬ 
ping of goods, wares, and merchandise, at the said town of Boston, or 
within the harbor thereof.” 

This grant was given on the 7th of March; the bill was 
perfected, and passed Parliament on the 25tli, and received the 
royal assent on the 31st of the same month. 

This port bill was but a part of the stringent and humbling 
acts levied against the resolute actions of the leading spirits of 
Boston. 

It did not take long to enlist the masses of the people in all 


414 


DUDLEY. 


sections of the country against these stringent and oppressive 
measures of Parliament against colonies. 

The great mass of the leading men in England were strangely 
ignorant of the character and condition of the American col¬ 
onists, and as unwise in their measures as ignorant. 

War was now inevitable; and when it began, every town 
and hamlet was eager to enter the contest. 

The records of every town throughout the country bear 
ample evidence of a great similarity of sentiment upon this 
question. 

Every town in Massachusetts followed the lead of Boston; 
each had its committee, styled the “ Committee of Correspon¬ 
dence, Inspection, and Safety.” This committee was chosen in 
Dudley, June 30, 1774, consisting as follows: Captain John 
Courtis, Lieutenant Timothy Foster, Joseph Vinton, Archibald 
Jewell, and Elisha Corbin. 

On the 19th of September following, it is shown by the 
records that the town voted to add to the town stock of ammu¬ 
nition 100 pounds of powder, 400 pounds of lead, and ten 
dozen of flints. At the same time the town appointed Colonel 
Thos. Cheney, Jacob Warren, William Learned, and Ensign 
Jacob Chamberlain, to propose measures for our military 
ofticers. Also chose Colonel Cheney to represent the town in 
the Provincial Congress at Concord. This town had now 
entered earnestly into the spirit of the Revolution. 

Another town meeting was held on the 28th of the same 
month, when the constable was instructed to collect the 
Lists , and keep the province money in his hands till further 
orders, and the town to hold him harmless. A committee 
was now raised “ to settle and establish the minute-men.” 

At a meeting, held on the 17th of December, 1774, the 
town voted, 

1 ‘ To appropriate the province money in the hands of the collector to 
buy half a chest of guns and bayonets; to adhere to the doings of the 


DUDLEY. 


415 


Grand Congress in all matters whatsoever; and to conform to the non¬ 
importation agreement.” 

Then chose a committee of nine : 

“Major Learned, Joseph Vinton, Captain Morris, Joseph Upliam, 
Cornet Day, Jacob Warren, Joseph Sabin, Captain Carter, and Ensign 
Jeffords, to see that the Grand Congress’ resolves are carried into 
execution.” 

January 2, 1775, Colonel Thomas Cheney, moderator. 
Then chose Colonel Thomas Cheney, representative to the 
Provincial Congress, to be holden at Cambridge, on the 1st of 
February, and chose a committee to take charge of contributions 
for the poor of Boston and Charlestown; and the collector 
was directed to pay over the balance of province money to 
Henry Gardiner, of Stow. 

May 29, 1775, Major William Learned was elected to rep¬ 
resent the town in the Provincial Congress, to be holden at 
Watertown, on the 31st inst.; and on the 3d of December 
following, a vote was passed, 

“To instruct our representative to remonstrate with the honorable 
Continental Congress, that inasmuch as they have raised the wages of 
the officers of the Continental army, and not given any further encour¬ 
agement to the soldiers.” 

This town was not an exception in that love of country 
in the earnest efforts made for performing every duty that 
rightfully belonged to its citizens in sustaining the great 
struggle for independence. 

It is curious to note to what extent the interior towns re¬ 
garded this Revolutionary effort as a work of their own, and 
one that immediately concerned their own interests and future 
welfare. 

Town meetings were frequent, at which both the acts of 
the Continental and Provincial Congresses were discussed and 
remonstrated against or opposed, accordingly as they were 
favored or disliked. 


416 


DUDLEY. 


Up to September, 1774, it had been the custom to notify 
and warn all town meetings in his majesty's name / but, on 
the 12th of September, of that year, notice was directed, 

“To all the freeholders and other inhabitants that are sixteen years 
old and upward to assemble in town meeting. But on the 27th of Sep¬ 
tember, 1776, notice was given in the name of the government and peo¬ 
ple of the State of Massachusetts Bay, to warn all the male inhabitants, 
except Indians and Negroes, that are twenty-one years and upward.” 

This last form of notice followed immediately after the 
Declaration of Independence. 

It appears that Colonel Thomas Cheney, who had been 
conspicuous in the affairs of the town, now passed from public 
notice, and Jedediah Marcy was the rising man, who now be¬ 
came frequently moderator, selectman, treasurer, and repre¬ 
sentative. 

On the 17th of July, 1766, the General Court in session at 
Salem, the council ordered : 

‘ ‘ That the Declaration of Independence be printed, and a copy be sent 
to the minister of each parish, of every religious denomination within 
the State, and that they severally be requested to read the same to their 
respective congregations as soon as Divine service is ended, in the after¬ 
noon of the first Lord’s day after they shall have received it; and after 
such publication thereof, to deliver the said declaration to the clerk of 
their several towns or districts, who are hereby required to record the 
same in their respective town or district record books; there to remain 
as a perpetual memorial thereof. 

‘ ‘ (Subscribed) in the name of the Council, 

“R. DERBY, Junior, President. 

“ A true copy, attest, JOHN A VERY, Deputy Clerk, Salem, Massa¬ 
chusetts Bay. Printed by E. Russell, by order of authority. 

“ Then follows the record on the books of this town, the Declaration 
of Independence. 

‘ ‘ Signed, a true copy, attest, 

“EDWARD DAVIS, Cl&rJc.” 

In the year 1776 the General Court issued circulars to the 
several towns in the State to ascertain the sentiments of the 
people upon the propriety of the Legislature, as then consti- 


DUDLEY. 


417 

tuted, in proceeding to form a constitution. This town acted 
upon the question at their meeting, on the 30th of September, 
of that year. 

The vote was in the negative, 

“For the reason that they now looked upon it, that the State had not 
at this time an equal representation.” 

In the year 1777 the price of labor and many articles of 
necessity being irregular, and in many instances exorbitant, 
the Legislature authorized towns to fix prices for labor, and 
such articles of necessity as they should judge proper. 

In this town, on the 6th of March, 1777, the selectmen 
were authorized to establish prices in accordance with this law. 

The articles named, and prices fixed for such, were as 
follows : 

s. d. 


“A day’s labor from middle of June to middle of August, 3 0 
In the other part of summer season, 2 3 

In April, May, September, and October, - - - 2 4 

For the remainder of the year, - - - 1 8 

PRICES FOR ENTERTAINMENT FOR MAN AND BEAST. 

For a meal of boiled or roasted victuals, - - - 1 0 

“ ■ “ common pot-luck, - - - 0 9 

“ “ all other eating in proportion. 

A mug of good flip, made of West India rum, - - 1 0 

“ “ “ New England rum, - 0 9 

All other liquors in proportion. 

Good lodging for the night for one person, - - - 0 3 

For horse-keeping one night, or 24 hours, on best of 

English hay - - - - - - - - 1 0 

“ a yoke of oxen, same time ----- 1 4 

“ shoeing a horse - - - - - 5 6 

“ plain shoeing - - 4 3 

“ sharpening a plough - - - - - - 0 9 

All other blacksmithing in proportion. 

For wheat, 6s. 2d. per bushel; and for rye, 4s.; corn, 3s.; 


white beans, 6s; oats, Is. 3d.; potatoes, Is. in the 
autumn, and in the spring, Is. 6d.; flax-seed, 6s. 4d.; 
English hay, best quality, for 100 lbs. - - - 2 

“ fresh pork, well fatted, per lb. 4d.; clear salt pork, 0 


4 



418 


DUDLEY. 


s. d. 

For best grass-fed beef, per lb. 3d.; new milk cheese - 0 6 

“ good butter, by the firkin or tub - - - - 0 10 

“ good lamb, per lb. 3|d.; tallow, 8d.; good wool - 2 0 

“ well-dressed flax, Is. per lb.; good stocking yarn, 

per lb. --------- 6 0 

“ shoes for men, 8s. per pair; ditto for women - -60 

“ best tow cloth, per yard, 36 inches wide - - 2 3 

“ good yard-wide striped flannel, per yard - - 3 4 

“ “ I “ cotton and linsey cloth - - 3 4 

“ “ | “ deep blue all wool cloth - - 12 0 

“ “ raw hides, per lb. 3s.; calfskins, per lb. - - 0 6 


“ “ sole leather, per lb. Is. 4d.; curried leather in 

proportion.” 

To the selectmen were added, for the above committee of 
appraisers, for the prevention of monopoly and oppression, as 
styled, the following persons : Jedediali Marcy, Edward Davis, 
Joseph Healy, David Keith, and Nathaniel ITealy, making 
a committee of ten, supposed to be the first in regard to dig¬ 
nity of character and good practical judgment. 

At their meeting on the 25th of April, 1777, twenty pounds 
extra allowance for soldiers was voted as a bounty for enlisting : 
and on the 20th of May following Major William Learned and 
Edward Davis were elected representatives, and the following 
men were appointed to draft further instructions to our repre¬ 
sentatives: Captain John Courtis, Jacob Warren, Joseph 
Sabin, John Haskell, and Eleazer Jackson. 

November 21,1777, a vote was passed to recommend Jede- 
diali Marcy, Esq., “ to the honorable council, for them (if they 
see fit) to appoint as a justice of the peace in our town.” 

August 17, 1779, Joseph Upham was elected a delegate to 
the convention, to meet at Cambridge, September 5, following, 
to assist in framing a constitution, and a committee was ap¬ 
pointed to prepare suitable instructions for his guidance. 

On the reception of the bill of rights and draft of the con¬ 
stitution, a town meeting was called to act upon the same, 
May 19, 1780. 



DUDLEY. 


419 


The separate articles were taken up seriatim , and discussed; 
some were accepted, while others were amended, giving evi¬ 
dence that great interest was manifested in giving a thorough 
examination into the character and effect of each. 

The votes for governor were twenty-four for John Han¬ 
cock, and at same meeting $700 was voted for the town’s 
quota of beef; also voted to supply our quota of soldiers for 
the Continental army, with a bounty of £33 6s. 8d., payable 
quarterly during three years, and payable in silver. 

The interest felt by the people of this town for doing their 
full share in providing their quota of soldiers and provision 
for carrying on the Revolutionary war, did not abate in the 
least, although the hardships and expense were great for them 
in their limited condition. 

September 4, 1780, chose a committee to supply our quota 
of soldiers for the Continental army, and to pay the men a 
bounty of £33 6s. 8d., to be paid quarterly ; provided they 
serve three years they shall be entitled to the whole sum. 

On the 2d of April, £100, silver money, and on the 
2d of July following, £300, silver money, was raised for 
supply of soldiers. A committee was chosen to arrange a 
plan for the settlement of debts payable in paper money. 
This arrangement referred to the great depreciation of paper 
money compared with the value of silver. 

In the year 1781 the town meetings began to be warned 
“In the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” as 
the phraseology. 

Peace having been restored in 1783, there was but little for 
many years to attract remark in the affairs of this town, be¬ 
yond the ordinary management of its corporate affairs. 

The movement for a parish, taking land from its west border, 
excited their attention. This continued at intervals from 1800, 
until a considerable tract of its territory was taken for a part 
of the land which, in 1816, formed the town of Southbridge. 


420 


DUDLEY. 


But this town was more largely shorn of its territory in the 
forming of the town of Webster in the year 1832, taking a 
large tract of land from its east border. These drafts upon 
its territory, and building up populations and thriving towns 
on both sides, has affected much the business formerly at¬ 
tracted to its center, Dudley Hill, interposing a serious ob¬ 
stacle to its growth and prosperity. Its principal water-power 
was the two rivers; the Quinebaug, passing through its west 
border; and the French river, passing through the east part, 
now the dividing line between this town and Webster. 

The population of Dudley is given at different periods, as 
follows : 

In 1765, 748; in 1790, 1,114; in 1800, 1,140; in 1810, 1,226; in 1820, 
1,615; in 1830, 2,155; in 1840, 1,352; in 1850, 1,446; in 1860, 1,736; in 
1870, 2,388. 

The territory taken for Southbridge was sparsely settled, 
and was not perceptibly felt, as the improvement of the water¬ 
power on the east part was fast adding to both wealth and 
inhabitants. 

But taking this east section to aid in forming Webster was 
such a draft upon its resources for population, that it did not 
recover its former highest number of inhabitants until the cen¬ 
sus of 1870. It has a valuable water-power in the north part 
of its territory, which, by its improvement, did considerable in 
adding to its numbers; but these mills having been destroyed 
by fire, and not at present rebuilt, has had an effect upon its 
growth. 

The last decade of the census, ending in 1870, has shown a . 
marked increase in its population. This is the result of new 
enterprise connected with the two old manufacturing estab¬ 
lishments on its east border ; the Merino factory, formerly 
so-called, and that heretofore known as the Nichols factory, 
both having passed into new hands, and the business much 
enlarged. 



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DUDLEY. 


421 


Furthermore, the water-power of the Quinebaug, within 
the limits of the west part of its territory, has, to some extent, 
been brought into use, and has taken the name of West 
Dudley, giving evidence of further and more extensive im¬ 
provement. This section of Dudley has risen into notice 
through the extension of a branch of the Boston, Hartford, 
and Erie Railroad, up the valley of this river, to Southbridge. 

The chief reliance for an increase of the wealth and popu¬ 
lation of this town is its water-power; that of the French 
river, upon its east border; the Quinebaug, on the west; and 
the ponds that supply the power of the works, formerly the 
Tufts’ Manufacturing Company. 

This power fully occupied (which is now favorably lo¬ 
cated by railroad facilities, and likely to be used), a further 
and much enlarged population would be the result, adding to 
the value of its farm lands, and giving a support to trade and 
mechanical industry far beyond the present state of such 
industries now existing within its limits. 

Another branch of industry in this town, heretofore com¬ 
manding but moderate attention, is capable of being produc¬ 
tive of much wealth and prosperity to its inhabitants, if con¬ 
ducted with skill and enterprise. This is the extensive bed of 
granite that underlies a large section along the central north 
border of its territory. These quarries have been worked 
from an early period in the history of this place, but not with 
that skill and enlarged ability which the present railroad 
facilities would permit. These, no doubt, at no very distant 
time, will command far greater attention than at any former 
period, and will prove a source of advantageous industry, as 
well as bringing increase of population. 

SCHOOLS. 

Schools were neglected at first by the pioneer inhabitants 
of Dudley, as shown by her early records. It was about 
29 


422 


DUDLEY. 


seven years after the town was incorporated when the first 
school was opened by its authority. This, no doubt, was in 
consequence, in some degree, of the very scattered situation 
of the first settlers, extending from the east to the west 
borders. 

But school districts were soon established, and the inhabi¬ 
tants here have not been behind those of the other towns in 
this vicinity in providing schools for their children. The 
recent efforts of this town to sustain the academy here, is not 
only commendable, but shows the wisdom of the people in 
giving to it all the advantages to town scholars of a high 
school, by a free access to all prepared to receive its 
benefits. 

The name by which this town was incorporated came from 
the Dudley family, the first English proprietors of this terri¬ 
tory, as has been before stated, who were descendants of 
Governor Thomas Dudley, one of the patentees of the Massa¬ 
chusetts colony. 

The following are some of the principal town officers: 


TOWN CLERKS. 

COMMENCING FROM FIRST ORGANIZATION. 

1732. 


John Lillie, 3 years. 

Jonathan Newell, 2 “ 

Benjamin Conant, 26 “ 

Ezra Conant, 6 “ 

Jedediah Marcy, 1 “ 

Edward Davis, 18 “ 

John Eliot Eaton, 1 “ 

John Chamberlain, 17 u 
Aaron Tnfts, 1 “ 


Amasa Nichols, 2 years. 
Rufus Davis, 6 “ 

William Hancock, 12 “ 

Morris Learned, 7 “ 

Abiel Williams, 3 “ 

Baylies Knapp, 2 “ 

Elisha Williams, 2 “ 

Augustus L. Allen, 2 “ 

Samuel Healy, 10 “ 



DUDLEY. 


423 


CHAIRMEN OF SELECTMEN. 


Joseph Edmonds, 

7 

years. 

Aaron Tufts, 

15 

years. 

George Robinson, 

2 

44 

Thomas Learned, 

1 

t i 

Ebenezer Edmonds, 1 

u 

Jepthah Bacon, 

5 

u 

John Vinton, 

1 

u 

William Windsor, 

1 

u 

Benjamin Conant, 

13 

u 

John Brown, 

5 

u 

John Lillie, 

1 

4 4 

John Eddy, 

6 

C l 

Joseph Upham, 

5 

44 

William Hancock, 

4 

u 

Joseph Sabin, 

1 

u 

Joel Barnes, 

l 

u 

Phineas Mixer, 

6 

u 

George A. Tufts, 

l 

u 

Ebenezer Bacon, 

2 

4 4 

Chester Clemans, 

l 

u 

Jedediah Marcy, 

11 

u 

Morris Learned, 

5 

u 

William Learned, 

3 

u 

Baylies Knapp, 

1 

u 

Edward Davis, 

3 

u 

Theodore Leonard, 

1 

a 

Jonathan Day, 

2 

4 4 

Asa E. Edmonds, 

3 

i ( 

John Warren, 

3 

4 4 

Moses Barnes, 

2 

u 

Isaac Lee, 

1 

44 

Reuben Davis, 

1 

u 

John Chamberlain, 

5 

4 4 

Henry H. Stevens, 

1 

a 


These officers extend only to the year 1852. 


NICHOLS ACADEMY, DUDLEY. 

This institution was founded by Amasa Nichols, Esq., an 
intelligent and enterprising gentleman, for many years a mer¬ 
chant and active business man of this town. He was a native 
of Thompson, Connecticut, where he was born, April 2,1773. 
He married in Dudley, Sally, eldest daughter of John Eliot 
Eaton, a noted physician of the town. Their children were 
all horn here as follows: 

Emeline born - - died, July 7, 1808. 

Lucilla “ “ June 28, 1811. 

Lucian “ “ Nov. 7, 1822. 

Frederick 11 June 20, 1808. 

Sally “ May 19, 1813. 

Mrs. Nichols died at Dudley, April 14, 1814; he removed 
from the town about 1835, and died at West Scituate, Massa¬ 
chusetts, July 17, 1849, aged 76 years. 

He erected the first academy structure in 1815, entirely at 



424 


DUDLEY. 


his own expense. It was built with the greatest economy at 
a cost of about $10,000. This building was not fully fin¬ 
ished ; but while preparing for painting and completing 
some fixtures, it took fire, and was entirely consumed. 

This sad occurrence and severe loss to Mr. Nichols, was 
noticed in the National NiJgis, published in Worcester, as 
follows: 

“BURNING OF NICHOLS ACADEMY AT DUDLEY. 

“On Thursday, April 11, at about 3 o’clock, p. m., the large and ele¬ 
gant building, erected and owned by Amasa Nichols, Esq., in the center of 
the town of Dudley, and designed for an academy, was consumed by fire. 

“In less than one half hour after the fire was discovered the building 
was burned to the ground. 

‘ ‘ The structure contained twelve large rooms for the use of the school 
and steward, with a spacious chapel above the same, with galleries and a 
stage for speaking; the whole admirably calculated for exhibitions and 
the accommodation of such an institution; for beauty and novelty it 
exceeded any building in this part of the country. 

“The carpenters’ work and lathing had been nearly completed; one 
room only had been plastered, in which the school had been commenced 
and kept one quarter, which ended the Friday previous; and after a 
vacation of three weeks was to have been continued, the prospects for 
which were encouraging to Mr. Nichols, and bid fair to be highly bene¬ 
ficial to the community. 

“The loss sustained by Mr. Nichols can not be much less than 
$10,000, which alone he has to bear, unless a generous public should 
feel charitably disposed to contribute to his relief.” 

“ His persevering exertions for two years past in an undertaking for 
the benefit of the rising generation give him a peculiar claim upon the 
generosity of a benevolent public. 

“Dudley, April 15, 1816.” 

Much sympathy was expressed at the time to Mr. Nichols 
for the great loss he had sustained by the destruction of this 
beautiful edifice, and it was hoped that by circulating subscrip¬ 
tion papers (which was done soon after in this and adjoining 
towns), he would be relieved, to a large extent, from this 
burden. As it was known that Mr. Nichols designed to re¬ 
build and that material would be accepted, a large portion of 


DUDLEY. 


425 


the amount subscribed was made payable in such material; 
the lull amount of the subscriptions has not been ascertained, 
and it is supposed that this paper, with many others that re¬ 
lated to the expense of the original, and the rebuilding of the 
second structure, have been lost, destroyed, or remained with 
the other papers of Mr. Nichols’ estate, and not made public. 
But from the best information obtained, the subscription did 
not exceed $1,000, or rather fell short of that sum. 

Mr. Nichols had already sustained heavy losses by invest¬ 
ments in the cotton manufacturing business in the east part 
of the town, yet, with a perseverance worthy of much praise, 
he proceeded with the work of rebuilding, and, in the latter 
part ol the year 1818, had finished the outside of the new 
building, except painting, and fitted up a school-room and 
opened a school. 

The following is the act of incorporation: 

“An Act to Establish Nicbols Academy in the Town of Dudley. 

“ Section 1 . Beit enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in 
General Court assembled , and by the authority of the same , That an academy 
be, and is hereby established in the town of Dudley, in the county of 
Worcester, by the name of “Nichols Academy, ” for the promotion of piety 
and virtue, and for the instruction of youth in such languages, and in 
such liberal arts and sciences, as the trustees, hereinafter provided, shall 
order or direct. 

“Sec. 2. Beit further enacted, That Jonathan Davis, Amasa Nichols, 
Benjamin Russell, John Spurr, John Brown, Isaiah Rider, Luther Ammi- 
down, John Kettell, and Benjamin Gleason, Esqs.; Rev. Thomas Jones, 
Rev. Hosea Ballou, Rev. Paul Dean, Rev. Edward Turner, Dr. Dan 
Lamb, and Dr. Abraham R. Thompson, be and they are hereby established 
a body corporate, by the name of the trustees of Nichols Academy; and 
they and their successors shall continue a corporation by that name, for¬ 
ever, with power to have a common seal; to contract, to sue or be sued, 
and prosecute or defend suits by their agent or agents appointed for that 
purpose; to receive by gift, grant, donation, or otherwise, any lands, 
tenements, or other estate, real or personal; to hold or improve the 
same; to lease, exchange, sell, or convey the same, for the benefit of 
said academy, by deed or deeds, duly executed by their treasurer, 
or other officer or agent, being thereunto authorized by the said corpora- 


426 


DUDLEY. 


tion; provided that the annual income of the whole estate of said cor¬ 
poration shall not exceed $6,000. 

“Sec. 3. Beit further enacted , That the said trustees shall have power, 
from time to time, to appoint a clerk, who shall be under oath, and a 
treasurer, who shall give bonds for the faithful discharge of his trust, 
and such other officers and instructors of the said academy, as the said 
trustees may judge needful and proper; and also to determine the time 
and place of their meetings, the mode of warning the same, or electing 
officers or trustees, and of transacting all other business; and to ordain 
necessary and reasonable orders, regulations, and by-laws for the instruc¬ 
tion and government of the said academy, not repugnant to the laws of 
this commonwealth. 

“ Sec. 4. Be it further enacted , That when any of the said trustees shall 
die, or resign, or by age, infirmity, or otherwise become incapable of 
discharging his said trust, in the judgment of the major part of the said 
trustees, the survivors may fill such vacancy by electing a successor. 

“ Sec. 5. Be it further enacted , That the number of the said trustees 
shall not at any time be more than fifteen, nor less than nine, five of 
whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; and all 
questions shall be decided by the votes of the major part of the trustees 
present; and, in case of an equal division, by the casting vote of the pre¬ 
siding trustee. 

“ Sec. 6. Beit further enacted , That Jonathan Davis, Esq., be and he is 
hereby authorized to appoint the time and place of the first meeting of 
the said trustees, and give them notice thereof. 

“Passed, June 18, 1819.” 

Soon after the act of incorporation was obtained, Mr. Nichols 
conveyed the building and land, by deed of trust, to the trus¬ 
tees and their successors forever for the purpose of a seminary 
of learning, providing that if the trustees should fail for six 
consecutive months to maintain the school, the estate should 
revert back to the grantor. 

The labor and responsibilities now resting on the trustees 
were great and perplexing. They were under the necessity of 
sustaining a school: there were no funds, and the large build¬ 
ing was unfinished, needing to be painted to preserve the ex¬ 
terior, and much to be done internally, to give it decent con¬ 
veniences for a school. This was certainly a discouraging 
condition for commencing their trusteeship; but the trustees 


Dudley. 


427 

were not disheartened; they began their labors in earnest 
with a determination that the institution should be put into 
working operation. 

They assessed themselves for a sufficient sum to paint the 
academy, and make needful improvements to supply the imme¬ 
diate necessities of the school, that it should commence under 
such circumstances as would give the enterprise a fair oppor¬ 
tunity for success. 

The school opened with a favorable patronage from the 
public, but needed more funds to complete the inside of the 
building, by preparing dormitories and a victualing depart¬ 
ment. 

In 1823 the trustees applied to the Legislature for aid; but 
the committee on education reported unfavorably upon the 
petition, on the ground that it had not been the practice of the 
State to aid academies until some permanent funds had been 
secured to the institution. It was represented to the peti¬ 
tioners that if they could raise and secure to the academy 
a fund of at least $2,000, their prospects would be favor- 
ble for a grant of half a township of wild land in the State 
of Maine. 

To raise this sum resort was had to subscriptions from those 
here and in the neighboring towns who favored the establish¬ 
ing of this institution in their vicinity. The proposed sub¬ 
scriptions were to be payable (when desired) on time, to run 
live, ten, and twenty years, bearing interest annually. The 
sum required was subscribed by the following parties : 


John Brown, 

Dudley, 

$100 

Royal South wick, Jr., Dudley, 

$5 

William Hancock, 

u 

75 

♦Remember Ingraham, “ 

25 

Morris Learned, 

a 

50 

♦Edward Howard, 

35 

Thomas Learned, 

<i 

20 

Samuel Robinson, 2d, “ 

20 

Samuel S. Knight, 

a 

50 

♦Luen Pope, “ 

5 

William Learned, 

i ( 

50 

♦John D. B. Kelley, “ 

5 

♦Thomas Pope, 

a 

25 

♦Nathan Pratt, “ 

10 

Chester Clemens, 

u 

20 

♦Royal Carter, ‘ ‘ 

10 



428 


DUDLEY. 


John Eddy, Dudley, 

$10 

John Webster, 

a 

5 

Jason Waters, 

u 

20 

John M. Pratt, 

4 1 

10 

Jonathan Day, 

( i 

10 

Alanson Bates, 

i i 

25 

Jepthah Bacon, 

u 

45 

Josiah Corbin, 

u 

10 

*Stephen Davis, 

i i 

5 

Peter Richard, 

a 

10 

Moses Healy, 

4 ; 

25 

*Henry Wolcott, 

i i 

5 

*Perley Healy, 

u 

10 

*Daniel Marcy, 

4 t 

25 

George A. Tufts, 

IL 

100 

Lemuel Healy, 

a 

20 

Otis H. Lee, 

i % 

10 

Abiel Williams, 

4 4 

20 

Daniel Dwight, 

it 

20 

William Healy, 

44 

20 

Abiel Elwell, 

4 4 

10 

*Perez B. Wolcott, 

44 

30 

Aaron Davis, 

44 

5 

Smith Phetteplace, 

44 

10 

*David Nichols, 

44 

25 

William Windsor, 

44 

100 

*Isaac Ammidown, 

44 

25 

Lemuel Healy, Junior, 

4 4 

10 

*Ethan Bullard, 

4 4 

3 

Those marked * not paid, less 

- 

Received from Dudley, 


_ 


“ Oxford, - 
“ Charlton, 

‘ ‘ Southbridge, - 
“ Samuel Slater, 

“ Jeremiah Kingsbury, 
“ Jesse Ormsby, 


Nathaniel Lyon, Dudley, $30 


John Jewett, “ 20 

William Healy, Junior, “ 5 

Henry Coburn, “ 10 

*Amos C. Tourtellot, “ 5 

Harvey Perry, “ 10 

Oren Keith, “ 10 

Joel Barnes, “ 25 

John Tucker, “ 20 

Walter Jewell, “ 20 

Presson Pond, “ 10 

John Haskell, 2d, “ 8 

Timothy Corbin, “ 20 

Asa Robinson, Junior, “ 10 

Abner Perry, “ 15 

Mark Elwell, ‘ ‘ 20 

Asa Prince, “ 5 

Allen Hancock, “ 25 

John Fair, “ 25 

Elisha Knight, “ 10 

Laban L. Wilson, “ 10 

Ephraim Upham, “ 10 

David Dodge, “ 10 

Chester Davis, “ 10 

Nathaniel Brown, “ 10 

Eliphaz Perry, “ 10 


$1,391 

$248 


- $1,U3 
180 
130 
125 
100 
50 
25 


$1,753 


Total cash received, 






DUDLEY. 


John Spurr, Charlton, $100 

Samuel D. Spurr, “ 20 

Harvey Dresser, “ 10 

Luther Ammidown, Southbr’ge, 60 
Luther Ammidown, Jr., “ 10 

Holmes Ammidown, “ 10 

Larkin Ammidown, “ 10 

Fordyce Foster, “ 5 

Jonathan Davis, Oxford, 100 


429 

Ira Barton, Oxford, $20 

Abijah Davis, “ 20 

Jonathan Davis, Jr., “ 20 

Stephen Davis, “ 20 

Jesse Ormsby, Thompson, 25 
Samuel Fiske, Southbridge, 15 
Isaac Oakes, “ 5 

Samuel Slater, “ 100 

Jeremiah Kingsbury, Oxford, 50 


The total subscriptions, for which notes were given, or 
settlements of the same made in money at the time, amounted 
to $2,001, though of which but $1,753 were realized for the 
institution. 

On the strength of these subscriptions a grant of wild land, 
to the quantity of half a township, in the State of Maine, was 
obtained from the Legislature, in 1825, which was sold for 
money; and the academy received by its trustees $2,500, 
which, at the time of sale, was as much, perhaps, as could have 
readily been obtained; but, considering the future prospects 
of that new State, having but a few years been changed from 
a territory or province of Massachusetts, its lands might, with 
a reasonable probability, have been expected to advance in 
value; and had they deferred the sale six to eight years, they 
would have realized at least five times the sum which was 
received. 

There was, however, a pressing demand for money to sup¬ 
ply the necessities of the institution. The academy had not 
been finished, and made available for its pressing wants ; but 
with these funds, $4,253, the trustees were enabled to finish 
the building, converting the upper story (which had been de¬ 
signed by Mr. Nichols as a spacious hall for exhibitions, dec¬ 
lamation, etc.), a large portion into dormitories and study- 
rooms, leaving the central section only for the chapel. Other 
portions, which were not required for the school department, 
were converted into boarding accommodations, giving suffi- 



430 


DUDLEY. 


cient capacity to lodge and board about thirty students within 
the building. 

Up to the year 1823 all the trustees were known or sup¬ 
posed to be Universalists. In tilling vacancies in the board, 
it had been heretofore suggested by several of its members, 
that if they should elect a part of the board from other relig¬ 
ious denominations, it would disabuse the public mind of the 
impression that it was a sectarian school; but Mr. Nichols 
warmly opposed such a policy, and the trustees thus far yielded 
to his wishes. 

There were now two vacancies in the board to be filled, and, 
contrary to the wishes of the founder, two gentlemen were 
elected, known to be Trinitarian Congregationalists, Colonel 
William Hancock and the Hon. George A. Tufts. It is 
quite probable that there could not have been elected twrn 
trustees, in the range of all religious sects, who would have 
taken a stronger interest in the institution, or acted more 
wisely in promoting its usefulness. They were both residents 
of the town, and known to be active friends of education and 
the improvement of society. 

This, however, did not convince Mr. Nichols of the propri¬ 
ety of this movement; he was ardent in his religious senti¬ 
ments, and had sacrificed nearly all his pecuniary estate in 
establishing an institution for the special advancement of the 
religious denomination to which he was united. He regarded 
this as an act of great disregard of his views and desires. 

He was so much offended at this action of the board, that 
he immediately resigned his office as one of the trustees and 
as secretary of the board, which offices he had held from the 
commencement of the institution to this time ; and he never 
afterward appeared to take any interest in its affairs. 

Of the propriety of the course adopted by the trustees, 
it is not purposed here to make any extended remarks; but it 
is deemed proper to say, that up to this time, Mr. Nichols 


DUDLEY. 


431 


had borne the chief expenditure that had brought this institu¬ 
tion into existence. It is true that a subscription for its aid 
had been received; hut, of the amount so subscribed, only 
about $800 came from other denominations; the $2,500 
received from the State was in the usual course of its patron¬ 
age to institutions of learning, without regard to sectarian 
influences. 

Now, if this act of neutralizing the character and influence 
of this institution is to be judged by the course generally 
adopted by other sectarian schools, particularly Calvinistic 
believers, would they have thus acted and elected men known 
to be Universalists, as trustees ? It is believed they would 
not, if precedent is to be the ground of judgment. 

The plea was to destroy its sectarian character, that other 
denominations might come to its support; but, by this step, it 
is not certain that its prosperity was advanced, from the fact 
that schools of this character founded by Universalists were few 
compared with the many sustained exclusively by those op¬ 
posed to the doctrine of Universalism ; and by this act of 
neutralization, the 'great incentive for its support by those 
who had founded and sustained it up to this time, was taken 
away; thus it is quite doubtful as to the advantage gained by 
this change of its sectarian character. 

So far as the propriety of sustaining the broad principles of 
toleration, the trustees may have been right; but, under the 
circumstances, and with due consideration for the great ex¬ 
penditure and the religious sentiments of Mr. Nichols, and 
his ardent desire to continue the school on the basis of an in¬ 
stitution that favored his religious views, it is believed that 
the trustees should not have changed its character, so long as 
there was any probability of its being sustained under the 
plan and design of its founder. 

The school at this time w T as receiving a fair share of patron¬ 
age compared with other academic institutions, and it is only 


432 


DUDLEY. 


problematical that any gain was had by the change here made. 
It has, however, continued with fair success up to a recent 
period. At the present time it is suffering for want of means 
to enlarge and put in suitable repair its buildings. 

Its general fund is very small, if any exists. 

Colonel William Hancock has been its largest patron since 
its character was changed from a sectarian school. 

He donated to the school in April, 1865, $2,000, on the fol¬ 
lowing conditions. The money to be placed at interest, and 
the income appropriated annually to pay the tuition of such 
scholars as the trustees shall deem worthy to receive such 
favor ; but no scholar shall receive the benefit of this fund to 
an amount exceeding twenty dollars. And no other appro¬ 
priation of principal or interest of this fund than that above 
mentioned shall be made for at least a period of twenty-five 
years. 

At his decease, in 1868, he left to the trustees for the 
same purpose, and under the same restriction,-$4,000 more; 
in all, $6,000. 

In a letter to this writer, he remarks : 

“ I have had no official connection with the institution since 1843, 
but have always felt a warm interest in its prosperity. And I think I 
might add, have done more than any other man (except the founder) to 
promote its welfare. I served nineteen years as a trustee, which were 
years of constant labor. I drew all the plans, made the estimates, and 
superintended the work of remodeling and finishing the building, as 
left by Mr. Nichols; was fifteen years on the committee (thirteen years 
chairman) for hiring teachers, and was secretary more than a dozen 
years. 

“ I rejoice that I have been able and disposed to do so much, and re¬ 
gret that my ability did not permit me to do more, but hope that others 
hereafter may do better. The school now sustains a reputation scarcely 
inferior to any other in the State, of this character.” 


At this time, when the above remarks were made, October 
29, 1866, the students in the academy numbered 107. 


DUDLEY. 


433 


Since tlie act of incorporation the trustees have had six 
presidents: 

1. General Jonathan Davis, of Oxford, elected in 1819. 

2. Rev. Abiel Williams, of Dudley. 

3. Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D. “ 

4. Colonel John Eddy, “ 

5. Rev. Henry Pratt, “ 

6. Oscar F. Chase, Esq., “ elected in 1870. 

The first four in the list of presidents have deceased, and 
all the original trustees. 

There have also been six secretaries, whose names are as 
follows: 


1. Amasa Nichols, Esq., of Dudley, elected in 1819. 

2. Rev. Abiel Williams, “ 

3. Hon. George A. Tufts, 

4. Colonel William Hancock, “ 

5. Lemuel Healy, Esq., “ 

6. Daniel Dwight, Esq., “ acting in 1870. 

All the gentlemen in the list of secretaries, except the last, 
Mr. Dwight, have deceased. 

The several preceptors elected by the trustees since the in¬ 
stitution was incorporated have been in the following order : 

Time of election and date of resignation are stated accord¬ 
ing to the records. 


Elected 1819, Solomon L. Wilds, 

A. M. 

resigned 1822 

< t 

1822, Isaac Webb 

4 4 

44 

1824 

4 4 

1824, William II. Rockwell 

44 

u 

1826 

44 

1826, H. Lounds Street 

4 4 

4 4 

1828 

44 

1828, William G. Learned - 

44 

4 4 

1828 

(4 

1829, Sanford Lawton 

44 

u 

1832 

44 

1832, William S. Porter 

4 4 

u 

1833 

44 

1833, Darius Ayres 

44 1 

4 4 

1834 

44 

1834, Benjamin Diefendorf 

44 

4 4 

1836 

4 4 

1836, John Bowers 

4 4 

4 4 

1837 

44 

1837, Oscar Fisher 

4 4 

4 4 

1839 

44 

1839, Henry C. Morse 

i 4 

44 

1840 

44 

1840, Elisha W. Cook. 

4 4 

(4 

1842 

44 

1842, Henry C. Morse 

44 

(2d term) - “ 

1844 


434 


DUDLEY. 


Elected 1844, Samuel W. Bates 

A. M. 

resigned 1846 

i i 

1846, Alden South worth - 

“ 

u 

1849 

11 

1849, Alvin H. Washburn - 

4 4 

u 

1851 

u 

1851, William W. Birchard 

4^4 

u 

1852 

u 

1852, Alvin H. Washburn 

4 4 

(2d term) - “ 

1852 

“ 

1852, J. H. Almy 

“ 

4 4 

1858 

1 i 

1858, James A. Clark 

4 4 

44 

1854 

u 

1855, Alden Southworth - 

4 4 

(2d term) - “ 

1856 

11 

1856, Ogden Hall 

4 4 

u 

1857 

11 

1857, Munroe Nichols 

4 4 

u 

1862 

a 

1862, John T. Clark - 

44 

u 

1866 

u 

1866, William H. Putnam - 

4 4 

(i 

1867 

u 

1867, Francis C. Burnett - 

“ 

(i 

1868 

11 

1868, Isaiah Trufant - 

4 4 

u 

1869 


“ 1869, A. L. Blane, W. G. E. Pope, and H. F. Bnrt £ ‘ 1869 

“ 1870, Harold Wilder and A. H. Livermore - - . “ 1870 

By a petition from the town of Dudley, in 1870 to the 
Legislature, praying the authority for taxing its inhabitants 
for raising money to aid this academy, permission was granted 
for that purpose. 

In accordance with this authority, a legal meeting of the 
inhabitants of the town was called to act thereon, when a vote 
was ordered and passed to raise the sum of $12,000, to be 
paid in six annual installments of $2,000 each, the first 
payment to be made upon the 1st day of July, 1871; 
and the same sum to be paid upon each 1st day of July 
until the full sum of $12,000 should be paid. The town 
further agreed to pay the trustees of this academy $1,000 
•yearly, in payment of the tuitions of those scholars in town, 
that their school committee should deem qualified to enter 
a high school. 

The foregoing acts, when it is considered that the town of 
Dudley has much less population and aggregate of valuation 
than most of the towns in its vicinity, must he regarded as 
highly creditable to the intelligence of its inhabitants and to 
their proper appreciation of what constitutes the best welfare 
and advancement of the interests of its people. 


DUDLEY. 


435 


For the better accommodation of the students of this 
academy the trustees purchased the Universalist meeting¬ 
house, in 1867, paying for the same $1,000, which building 
has been remodeled by raising the walls to make a second 
story lor a hall, with school-room and two ante-rooms below; 
while a new front and spire has been added, making a pleas¬ 
ant and convenient building for this institution. 

As a further accommodation for this institution the trustees 
have decided to either put in good repair the old academy 
structure for a boarding house, or to erect a new building for 
that purpose, the coming season of 1873. 

When the foregoing is accomplished, which time is not dis¬ 
tant, this institution will have accommodations and advan¬ 
tages, scarcely less than any of the best academic schools in 
this State. 

The autumn term of this academy for 1871, with Leonard 
Moore, A. B., as principal, had about fifty scholars, and the 
winter term following had about the same number; but the 
expectation is favorable for a large advance in scholars when 
the boarding facilities are prepared, as the plans now design. 

THE MERINO WOOL FACTORY COMPANY, DUDLEY. 

This company was incorporated, February 13, 1812. The 
corporators were Learned Corbin, Jepthah Bacon, Aaron 
Tufts, Phineas Bemis, and William Learned, together with 
such others as may hereafter associate with them. Some 
of those known to have been associated with these corpora¬ 
tors were William Hancock, Morris Learned, Allen Hancock, 
Thomas Learned, Wm. Bobinson, Peter Butler, and a Mr. 
Pratt, of Oxford. 

This company, like many others formed at this early period 
in the history of cotton and wool manufacturing in this coun¬ 
try, lost all its original capital. 

The act of incorporation says it was formed for the pur- 


436 


DUDLEY. 


pose of manufacturing wool and cotton in the town of Dud¬ 
ley, in the county of Worcester, according to the act, en¬ 
titled “An Act Defining the General Powers of Manufactur¬ 
ing Corporations,” passed the 3d of March, 1809. 

The capital stock was not to exceed $50,000 in real estate, 
and personal estate not exceeding $100,000. 

The mercantile firm of French & Everett, and Israel 
Thorndike, were stockholders (residing in Boston) in the ori¬ 
ginal company. Subsequently, Major John Brown was inter¬ 
ested here from about 1825 to 1837, with Samuel H. Bab¬ 
cock, of Boston, as principal capitalist. More recently, it 
passed into the hands of Henry H. Stevens, who has greatly 
enlarged the works, and now manufactures linen goods on 
these premises extensively. 

TUFTS’ FACTORY, OR RAM’S HORN, DUDLEY. 

This woolen mill has been known by both of the above 
names ; the latter name, “ Barn’s Horn Factory,” arose, as has 
been reported, by some person having fixed the horns of a ram 
upon a conspicuous place on the factory building, at the time 
the first building was erected, which gave the mill this name, 
by which it was known many years ; but more recently took 
the name of “Tufts’ Factory,” from the name of one of the 
principal proprietors, the Hon. Aaron Tufts. 

This mill was erected in the year 1816. The proprietors 
were Judge Aaron Tufts, John B. Jewett, Mayo Pratt, 
Harvey Conant, and William Bobinson. Its water-power is 
supplied from Gore and Baker ponds, which is regarded as 
an excellent power for a four-set mill; and, as the fall is 
rapid, it may, in a short distance be used twice, making it 
doubly valuable. 

During the active life of Judge Tufts, he supplied means 
for running this mill many years, and Mr. Jewett was the 
principal manager. 


DUDLEY. 


437 


The goods made here were low-priced woolens, mostly blue 
cloths. 

The last mill, erected near the site of the former was of 
granite, taken from the quarries in its immediate vicinity, 
but was burnt about the year 1868, and this water-power has 
since remained vacant. 

THE VILLAGE COTTON, WOOL, AND LINEN MANUFACTUR¬ 
ING COMPANY, DUDLEY. 

The above name was changed by an act, passed on the 
27th of February, 1815, to “ Village Factory.” 

This company was incorporated by the first name, June 12, 
1812, with the following names as corporators: Samuel Wa¬ 
ters, Amasa Braman, Estes Howe, Titus V. Shepard, Eseck 
Brown, Isaac King, Nathaniel Bartlet, Silas Chase, George 
Viner, John Stockwell, Junior, Stephen Bartlet, Nathan Ban¬ 
croft, Luther Whitmore, Samuel Walker, Daniel Putnam. 
Absalom Leonard, Francis Sibley, Aaron Hammond, Joshua 
Waters, and Thomas Kendall, Junior, together with such others 
as may hereafter join or associate with them, their successors 
and assigns, be a corporation, by the name of “ The Village 
Cotton, Wool, and Linen Manufacturing Company,” for man¬ 
ufacturing cotton, wool, and flax, in the town of Dudley, gov¬ 
erned by the act of 1809. Authorized to hold real estate 
$50,000, and personal estate $100,000. 

This mill passed into the hands of Samuel Slater on the 6tli 
of November, 1824, together with fifteen acres, one quarter, 
and twenty-eight rods of land, and all the other buildings on 
the same, with the water-power belonging thereto, for the 
sum of $7,500, the same now is the property of the heirs 
of Mr. Slater. At present Horatio N. Slater, Esq., is the prin¬ 
cipal manager of the estate of the late Samuel Slater, in 
Webster, in which town this estate fell when the town of 
Webster was formed in 1832. 

30 


438 


DUDLEY. 


THE DUDLEY COTTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 
DUDLEY. 

This company was incorporated, February 8, 1816. The 
following names were corporators, with such others as may 
associate with them : John Nichols, Theodore Dwight, Stephen 
Bracket, Nathaniel Crosby, William Kimball, and David 
Carroll, and made a corporation by the name of “The Dudley 
Cotton Manufacturing Company,” to be governed by the act 
defining the powers and duties of manufacturing companies of 
1809. 

With the right to hold real estate $50,000, and personal 
estate $50,000, for manufacturing cotton in the town of Dud- 
ley. 

Amasa Nichols, Esq., of Dudley became, one of the asso¬ 
ciates, when this cotton-mill soon became generally known as 
the “Nichols Cotton Factory.” 

It lias since passed into the possession of parties in Provi¬ 
dence, of whom it is understood that Oscar F. Chase, Esq., is 
the principal. The business has been much enlarged by the 
erection of new buildings, and is now regarded as a prosperous 
and able establishment. 


ECCLESIASTICAL. 


CHAPTER II. 


CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY. 


r JTHE precise date of the organization of this church is not 
known at this time; the records during the ministry of 
the first pastor are believed not to be in existence. 

It is presumed that it was formed in 1732, as the first set¬ 
tlers took immediate measures to procure a religious teacher, 
and maintain religious worship. By a vote of the town the 
following year, reference is made to an action of the church 
as then existing ; also, the preamble to the act of the General 
Court incorporating the town implies that the petition for the 
act, by these first settlers, was founded on a desire to enjoy 
the privileges of public worship, and maintain the preaching 
of the Gospel to themselves and their families. 

The first person who received a call to settle in the minis¬ 
try, in the town, was Mr. Isaac Richardson. It appears that 
a council was called for the purpose; but there are no records 
among the proceedings of the town to explain the reason for 
not performing the services of the ordination, which did not 
take place. 

On the 30th of January, 1734, it was voted to erect a 
meeting house, as had been proposed, on Joshua Regan’s 
old field , provided the land could be procured for that 
purpose; and, on the 27th of the following March, it was 
voted to accept four acres of this land for the location 



440 


DUDLEY. 


of the same and for other public purposes, which had 
been given by the Indian proprietors, on the top of Dudley 
Hill , and to perform the conditions by them required, viz., 
“ to allow the Indians convenient seats in our meeting-house 
when it is up.” The frame of this first meeting-house was 
raised, October 23, 1734, and located nearly on the site of 
the present meeting-house of this society. 

To aid in this undertaking, they applied to Chief-Justice 
Paul Dudley and the Hon. William Dudley, and received a 
donation of £100 and 100 acres of land for a parsonage, or 
settlement, for their first minister. They also applied to the 
General Court, and obtained a beneficiary act, authorizing the 
taxing of non-resident lands for the support of public re¬ 
ligious worship. . 

The first settled minister, as pastor of this church, was the 
Rev. Perley Howe, who was ordained, June 12, 1735, and 
dismissed in 1743. He came from Killingly, Connecticut, 
and was a graduate of Harvard university, 1731. 

Their second pastor, Rev. Charles Gleason, was ordained 
in October, 1744, and died here in May, 1790. He was from 
Brookline, Massachusetts. There were several candidates for 
the ministerial office at this time, a Mr. Ester brooks, Mr. 
Winchester, Mr. Adams, Mr. Gleason, and a Mr. Burbean. 
A committee of four members was selected to make choice 
of the candidate ; these persons were, Ebenezer Edmonds, 
John Yin ton, Benjamin Newell, and Joseph Edmonds ; they 
were also to agree upon a sum for a settlement, and for the 
salary. 

These proceedings for settling the minister, being entirely 
connected with the business affairs of the town, are a part of 
its records; thus some of the particulars will be found in the 
historical sketch of its political affairs. 

It will be seen by the history of town affairs, that this com¬ 
mittee selected Mr. Gleason, and arranged for his settlement 


DUDLEY. 


441 


and salary. Rev. Mr. Gleason gave his acceptance on the 
13th of September, 1744, and was ordained on the 31st day 
of October following : 

The ministers present on this occasion were: Rev. Mr, 
Aldine, Brookline; Rev. Nathaniel Walter, Roxbnry; Rev. 
Abel Stiles, of Woodstock, Connecticut; Rev. Caleb Rice, 
Sturbridge; Rev. James Brigham, Brimheld ; and Rev. John 
Campbell, of Oxford. 

Rev. Joshua Johnson, the third pastor, was installed in 
December, 1790, and dismissed in May, 1796. He was from 
Woodstock, Connecticut, and a graduate of Yale college in 
1775. 

The fourth pastor, Rev. Abiel Williams, was ordained on 
June 12, 1799, and dismissed on March 46, 1831. He was 
from Raynham, Massachusetts, and was a graduate of Brown 
university, 1795. 

His successor, Rev. James H. Francis, the fifth pastor, 
was ordained, August 24, 1831, and dismissed, June 26, 1837. 
He was from Weathersfield, Connecticut, and a graduate of 
Yale college in 1826. 

Rev. Walter Follet, the sixth pastor, was installed, Novem¬ 
ber 2, 1837, and dismissed, September 28, 1841. He was 
from Williston, Vermont, and a graduate of Middlebury col¬ 
lege in 1825. 

The seventh pastor, Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D., was in¬ 
stalled, March 22, 1843. He was a native of Cohasset, for¬ 
merly a part of Hingham ; born, March 20,1776 ; admitted to 
to the sophomore class in Harvard college, 1797, aged twenty- 
one; graduated in the autumn of 1800, and became assistant 
teacher in Philips’ academy, and commenced at same time 
his theological studies under Rev. Jonathan French, where he 
continued two years. 

He was licensed to preach by the Andover association, in 
April, 1802. He was invited soon after to preach at Ded- 


442 


DUDLEY. 


ham, and was ordained there, March 16, 1803. Hon. Fisher 
Ames was a parishioner in his society. He resigned this 
charge in 1818, and in March, same year, became president 
of Middlebury college, Vermont, and the same year was 
honored with the degree of D. D. from Yale college. After 
twenty-two years at the head of this college, he resigned 
in 1840, aged sixty-fonr. Chaplain in Congress in 1841. 
Soon after he preached a few months at Portland, Maine, and 
for two years at Northborough, Massachusetts, and from 
thence came to Dudley. 

In the summer of 1852 Dr. Bates suffered from an attack 
of paralysis, but soon after recovered, and continued his ser¬ 
vices actively most of the time, till December, 1853, when, 
being on a pastoral visit, he met with an accident to his car¬ 
riage, and by his exertions took a severe cold, which brought 
on the disease that terminated his life, January 14,1854, in 
his seventy-eighth year. The sermon preached at the funeral 
of Dr. Bates was by Rev. William B. Sprague, D. D., of 
Albany, from the text Isaiah, liii, 1st and 2d verses, which 
has since been published by the request of the church and 
congregation. 

ACT OF INCORPORATION OF CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY, 
DUDLEY. 

This society was incorporated, June 23, 1797, with the fol¬ 
lowing names as corporators : John Chamberlain, Thomas 
Learned, Esbon Carter, Aaron Tufts, Jonathan Bacon, Samuel 
Healy, Jonathan Day, Nathaniel Healy, Benjamin Lee, 
Timothy Foster, Mark Dodge, John Courtis, Junior, Joseph 
Keith, Nathaniel Healy, Junior, Abel Foster, Jonathan Bacon, 
2d, Joseph Healy, William Fisher, Mark Elwell, Lemuel 
Healy, Eliphaz Perry, Josiah Ilovey, William Healy, Heze- 
kiah Healy, John Yorce, Simeon Wood, John Healy, John 
Foster, Edward Davis, Jepthah Bacon, Josiah Barnes, John 


DUDLEY. 


443 


Bovvers, Moses Healy, Samuel Davis, Joseph Jewell, John 
Lawton, Jonathan Conant, David Nichols, David Nichols, 
Junior, John Coda, Nathan Wood, Ephraim Upliam, Joseph 
Bracket, Benjamin Mixer, Jabez Day, Benjamin Kidder, 
Aaron Davis, Joseph Davis, Benjamin Lee, Junior, John 
Eliot Eaton, M. D., Ebenezer Ammidown, Josiah Conant, 
Junior, Rufus Conant, Moses Jewell, Asa Courtis, Luther 
Chamberlain, Amasa Nichols, Stephen Healy, Joseph Allen, 
Eden Davis, Joseph Davis, Junior, Josiah Perry, Augustus 
Eddy, Isaac Lee, Paul Dodge, Eber Foster, Thomas Upliam, 
Nathan Upliam, and Benjamin Upliam, together with all those 
inhabitants of Dudley who shall join said society, and become 
members thereof, with their polls and estates, be and they 
hereby are incorporated into a society, by the name of “The 
First Congregational Society in Dudley,” and John Chamber- 
lain, Esq., was authorized to call the first meeting of the 
corporators. An addition to this act was passed by the Gen¬ 
eral Court, February 9,1798, including all persons in the town 
who generally worship with this society, and who do not be¬ 
long to any other religious society. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH, DUDLEY. 

The Baptist denomination formed an organization at an 
early period in the history of this town, but labored under 
many difficulties through the oppressive power granted to the 
standing order, or those of the Congregational faith, which by 
law T had the right to subject all the polls and property of the 
town to contribute to its support. 

In 1732, the following year after this town was granted by 
the General Court of the colony, the Congregational church 
was formed; and in 1744, twelve years later, the following 
certificate appears on the records of the town, showing that a 
Baptist church was then in existence, but there are no records 
to show the date when this Baptist church was first organized: 


444 


DUDLEY. 


“ Certificate .—A true list of the names of the members of the Baptist 
church in Dudley: Joseph Wakefield, Benjamin Putney, Paul Robinson, 
Silas Robinson, Jonathan Putney, and the names of them that attend 
meeting with them, Francis Courtis, John Courtis, and William Wake¬ 
field. This is to certify to the town clerk of Dudley, and assessors of said 
town, that we have chosen Paul Robinson and Francis Courtis to see that 
the assessors give orders to the constable of Dudley not to take any 
taxes of the brethren, nor of any of the society of the Baptist church, 
to support your minister, or defray ministerial charges, or for erecting 
any place of worship for your society. 

“May 21, 1744. 

“JONATHAN MARSH, Clerk of Baptist Church. 

“JAMES COATS, Brother of the Church. 

“Entered on the records of the town of Dudley, September 16, 
1746.” 

This certificate was the result of an act of partial toleration 
of Dissenters, first enacted by the General Court of Massachu¬ 
setts, in 1727, which favored Episcopalians ; but another law 
followed, as a result of a petition from the Baptists, in 1728, 
which exempted Anabaptists and Quakers, “ provided that they 
usually attended the meetings of their respective societies, and 
lived within five miles of the place of meeting; otherwise 
they were bound to pay taxes to the standing order.” 

This law was to continue in force only till May, 1733. 
Their oppressors often found ways of evading this law; many 
Baptists, Quakers, and Episcopalians were imprisoned, and 
their property distrained and sacrificed in the name of re¬ 
ligious support, but of a faith repugnant to their belief. 

On the expiration of this law the rigor of intolerance was 
exercised to its fullest extent. The next year, on the petition 
of the Dissenters, this exemption was continued to the year 
1740, and, on further complaint, was extended seven years 
more. It was under this last extension that the above certifi¬ 
cate was furnished for their exemption. 

The last exemption law extended to 1747, when the same 
law was extended ten years, to 1757. Then, in November of 


DUDLEY. 


445 


1757, an act, styled “An Act Further to Exempt Persons 
Commonly Called ‘Quakers’ and ‘Anabaptists’ from Paying 
Ministerial Taxes,” was passed, of which the substance is as 
follows : 

“ That from and after the 1st day of February, 1758, none of the per¬ 
sons commonly called 4 Quakers ’ or ‘ Anabaptists,’ who allege a scruple of 
conscience as the reason of their refusal to pay any part or proportion of 
such taxes as are from time to time assessed for the support of the min¬ 
ister or ministers of any church settled by the laws of this province, in 
the town, district, precinct, or parish where they dwell, shall have their 
poll or estate, real or personal, taxed towards the settlement or support 
of such minister or ministers, nor for building or repairing any meeting¬ 
house or place of public worship. 

“ And to the intent that it may be better known what persons are of 
the persuasion of the people called ‘ Quakers, ’ who are exempted by this 
act, to have his poll or polls, or any estate to him or her belonging, ex¬ 
empt from paying a proportional part of the ministerial taxes that shall 
be raised therein, none shall be esteemed or accounted to be Quakers 
but such whose names shall be contained in a list or lists to be taken 
and exhibited on or before the 1st day of February next, and afterwards 
during the continuance of this act, on or before the 20th day of July 
annually, to the assessors of the town, etc., etc., signed by three or 
more of the principal members of that meeting to which they belong, 
who shall therein certify, that they verily believe the persons whose 
names are inserted in said list or lists are really belonging thereto, and 
are conscientiously of their persuasion, and that they do frequently 
and usually attend their meetings for the worship of God on the Lord’s 
day. 

‘ ‘ And to the intent that the Anabaptists who are truly such, and are 
therefore exempted by this act, may be the better known and distin¬ 
guished from those who pretend to be, but really are not of that persua¬ 
sion, etc., etc., as to have his or her poll or polls, or any estate to him 
or her belonging, exempt as aforesaid, none shall be so esteemed to be 
Anabaptists but such whose names shall be contained in a list or lists to 
be taken and exhibited on or before the 1st day of February next, and 
afterwards, during the continuance of this act, on or before the 20th 
day of July, annually, to the assessors of such town, etc., etc., signed 
by three principal members of the Anabaptist church to which he or 
they belong, and the minister thereof, if any there be, who shall therein 
certify, that the persons whose names are inserted in said list are really 
belonging thereto, and that they verily believe them to be conscien¬ 
tiously of their persuasion, and frequently and usually attend public 
worship in such church on the Lord’s day.” 


446 


DUDLEY. 


The act of 1757, with some trifling amendments in 1770, 
continued in force until the declaration of rights and the 
constitution were framed and ratified in 1780. 

The second and third articles of the bill of rights were 
intended to give equal protection to all religious denomina¬ 
tions. 

A part of the first article declares that, 

“No subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained in his person, lib¬ 
erty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most 
agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience, or for his religious pro¬ 
fession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, 
or obstruct others in their religious worship.” 

And in the third article it is provided that, 

‘ ‘ The people of this commonwealth have a right to invest their Legis¬ 
lature with power to authorize and require the several towns, parishes, 
precincts, and other bodies politic, or religious societies, to make suit¬ 
able provision, at their own expense, for the institution of the public 
worship of God, and for the support and maintenance of public Protest¬ 
ant teachers of piety, religion, and morality, in all cases where such 
provision shall not be made voluntarily. 

‘ ‘ And all moneys paid by the subject to the support of public worship, 
and of the public teachers aforesaid, shall, if he require it, be uniformly 
applied to the support of the public teachers of his own religious sect or 
denomination, provided there be any one whose instructions he attends; 
otherwise it may be paid towards the support of the teacher of the parish 
in which the said moneys are raised.” 

This law, apparently fair and equal in its effect, was changed 
from its true intents by another law, declaring that the society 
to which any party belonged who desired to withdraw his or 
their tax paid as aforesaid to the town, must be an incorpo¬ 
rated body; and as the dissenting parties, Baptists, Quakers, 
or others, did not belong to any incorporated societies (as 
these denominations of religion seldom had their societies in¬ 
corporated), they lost the right of withdrawing such tax, and 
thus were indirectly, through the right of the majority (such 
majority being generally of the orthodox Congregational sts’ 


DUDLEY. 


447 


denomination), compelled to pay for the support of a religious 
faith contrary to their belief. 

These hardships and inconveniences continued in some 
degree (although becoming less oppressive by the increasing 
tendency to a spirit- of universal toleration), until the ratifica¬ 
tion of the eleventh amendment of the constitution took place 
by the people, November, f833, which gave free toleration, 
without distinction or subordination of one sect to any other. 
This article is as follows: 

“ Article 11. Instead of the third article of the bill of rights, the fol¬ 
lowing modification and amendment thereof is substituted. 

“ As the public worship of God, and instructions in piety, religion, and 
morality, promote the happiness and prosperity of a people and the 
security of a republican government; therefore, the several religious 
societies of this commonwealth, whether corporate or incorporate, at 
any meeting legally warned and holden for that purpose, shall ever have 
the right to elect their pastors or religious teachers, to contract with 
them for their support, to raise money for erecting and repairing houses 
for public worship, for the maintenance of religious instruction, and for 
the payment of necessary expenses. And all persons belonging to any 
religious society shall be taken and held to be members, until they shall 
file with the clerk of such society a written notice declaring the disso¬ 
lution of their membership, and thenceforth shall not be liable for any 
grant or contract which may be thereafter made or entered into by such 
society; and all religious sects and denominations, demeaning themselves 
peaceably and as good citizens of the commonwealth, shall be equally 
under the law; and no subordination of any one sect or denomination 
to another shall ever be established by law.” 

On returning to the Baptist church in Dudley, the town 
records show the following as before given: 

Voted , May 25, 1772: “To excuse the persons that belong to the Bap¬ 
tist church, from bringing their certificates in to the assessors yearly, so 
long as the law in favor of the Baptists and Quakers exists.” 

This vote shows that there still existed a Baptist church in 
this town ; and it is much to be regretted that there are no 
records yet found to show their place of worship or the per¬ 
sons who officiated as their ministers up to this period. The 


448 


DUDLEY. 


above vote refers to the law of 1757, which was renewed in 
1770. 

It appears that after the Revolutionary war, Rev. John 
Martin, of Thompson, Connecticut, occasionally supplied 
preaching here ; also, Rev. William Bachelder and Rev. Sam¬ 
uel Waters, both of Sutton. 

In 1790 the east part of the town was the principal place 
for holding their religious meetings. In 1798 a reorganiza¬ 
tion of this church took place in this east part of Dudley, 
which subsequently became the town of Webster; and Solo¬ 
mon Wakefield was ordained as their minister. 

Mr. Wakefield, although a resident of this part of Dudley, 
had been up to this time a member of the Baptist church in 
Thompson, Connecticut. 

He differed in his religious faith from many of his brethren 
of the church, being strictly Calvinistic, while other members 
favored Armenianism. This difference proved unfavorable to 
its success, and, finally, for a time they had preaching, only oc¬ 
casionally, until it nearly ceased to exist; but an interest in 
religion revived with them through the labors of Rev. Mr. 
Crosby, of Thompson, Connecticut, during the years 1810 to 
1812, being aided in his efforts by Rev. James Grow, of 
Pomfret, Connecticut. 

In the year 1813 a colored preacher, from Boston, visited 
the Baptist brethren in this part of Worcester county, and, for 
a time, supplied preaching for this denomination in this part 
of Dudley. During his labors, he added to the church several 
persons by baptism. In the latter part of this year, and 
in 1814, the interest in these religious services had greatly 
increased, and meetings now became frequent. These meet¬ 
ings were held in private houses—the school-house, and some¬ 
times in the upper lofts of a factory that had recently been 
erected in what is now the north village, called the a Braman 
and Benedict,” or “ Village Factory.” 


DUDLEY. 


449 


This revival was noticed in the Baptist Missionary Magazine , 
of September, 1814. After referring to the revival in 
Thompson, it added as follows: 

“ The same good work made its appearance in the adjoining town of 
Dudley, in which the word of God had been preached by Elder Paul, a 
colored brother, accompanied with Divine power, and made effectual, as 
we have reason to hope, to many souls. The revival here was equally 
powerful as in Thompson; and, although the weather for the most part 
was very disagreeable, the meetings, (which were held almost every 
day), were so uncommonly crowded, that many could not get within 
hearing of the speaker’s voice.” 

Adding: 

“ On the 24th of March, 1814, Elder Dwinell baptized ten at Dudley. 
April 13, Rev. Mr. Gano, of Providence, baptized seven more, when he 
preached from Acts iv, 33; and on the 26th of June, Rev. James Grow, 
of Pomfret, Connecticut, preached here, and baptized three; thus add¬ 
ing, by baptism, to the number of the converted here during this re¬ 
vival, twenty-seven members.” 

About this time several factories were erected in this vi¬ 
cinity; besides the Tillage factory by Braman and Benedict, 
there was the Merino, the N ichols factory, and one at the east 
village, by Mr. Samuel Slater. 

This had the effect to increase largely the population here, 
and, with others, there were added several Baptist families. 

These circumstances proved favorable to establishing a 
permanent organization, which resulted in the Baptist church 
now in Webster, organized, October 26, 1814.* 

UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY, DUDLEY. 

From an early period in this town there have been persons 
of the Universalist faith in religion. After the organization 
of the Universalist society at Oxford, in the year 1785, several 
persons from Dudley joined in attending and supporting that 
organization for many years. 

* See Historical Sketch of that church, a continuation of the Dudley church. 




450 


DUDLEY. 


Occasional services of this order were held in this town, up 
to about the year 1829, when, on the 9th of May of that year, 
a society was formed. 

The preliminary steps were by a petition signed by Samuel 
C. Butler, Tyler Simpson, Rowland Perry, and thirty-seven 
others, dated, “ April 29,1829,” directed to one of the justices 
of Dudley, who issued his warrant calling the meeting at the 
house of John Congdon, Junior, on Saturday, May 9, as 
above, when the petitioners were legally organized as the 
“ First Universalist Society in Dudley.” 

For a period of about four years they held their meetings 
in the hall of the hotel, in the center of the town, or in Nichols’ 
academy. In the year 1833 this society joined with the 
Methodists, and erected a meeting-house at the common ex¬ 
pense of the two religious parties. The condition for this 
union was that each party should occupy half of the time this 
house. This union continued about two years, not satisfactory 
to either party, when, in the year 1835, the Universalists 
bought the interest of the Methodist friends, except one pew. 

The Methodists now retired, and held occasional meetings 
in school-houses and private houses, until they erected a house 
of worship for themselves in 1845, in which they now continue 
to hold regular meetings under a separate organization. 

The former house in which these two religious denomina¬ 
tions held their worship, but which became by the sale here 
referred to the property of the Universalists, was dedicated 
April 30, 1834. 

The ministers who have supplied the pulpit for the Univer¬ 
salists have been as follows : 

Rev. Gilman Noyes, began in 1829. Time left not certain. 

“ John Boyden, Junior, began in 1885. Time left not certain. 

“ Joshua Britton, “ 1840. “ “ “ “ 

“ William H. Griswold, “ 1842. Died March 8, 1844. 

“ Joseph O. Skinner, began March 30, 1844. Time left not certain. 

“ Samuel Brimlecom, “ April 17, 1845. Time left not certain. 


DUDLEY. 


451 


Rev. Albert Tyler, supplied a few months in 1847. 

“ Cyrus A. Bradley, began in 1847. Time left, uncertain. 

“ James H. Burnham, “ “ 1851. “ “ “ 

“ Phineas Hersey, “ “ 1852. “ “ 

“ William Bell, a short time, 1853. “ “ “ 

“ Joseph Barbour, began January 1, 1854. Left April 1, 1861. 

This society now being reduced in members by emigration 
from the town, united with their friends in Webster. The 
minister preached in the morning for one society, and in the 
afternoon for the other, each day going from one town to the 
other, maintaining preaching for a half day at each place. 
In 1867 the society in Dudley, being further reduced in num¬ 
bers, sold their meeting-house to Nichols’ academy for school 
purposes. 

METHODIST CHURCH, DUDLEY. 

There have been, from an early period in the history of this 
town, several families who in their religious faith adhered per¬ 
sistently to Methodism. Through their influence they have 
had occasional preaching here during all this period ; but 
their numbers and ability have not been equal to the support 
of constant supply, nor sufficient to make it a regular station. 

For several years (of a more recent period), the parties 
professing Methodism have joined with those of the faith of 
Universalism, in a place for holding their meetings; but this 
mode of conducting their religious affairs did not prove to the 
satisfaction of either party, and was abandoned. 

There was now a determination to organize a permanent 
society, and sustain regular preaching. Having sold their 
share of the Union meeting-house to the Universalists, they 
began preaching as follows: 

In 1843, by Nathaniel J. Merrill, - - - - 1 year. 

“ 1844, “ William B. Olds, - - - - 2 “ 

During this period, in 1845, the church and society were 
enabled to erect a meeting-house, in which they have since 


452 


DUDLEY. 


assembled. Their next supply was 1846, by Jeremiah L. 
Hanaford, two years. 


In 1848, 

by David K. Merrill, ... 

- 1 year. 

“ 1849, 

“ David Kilburn 

2 “ 

“ 1851, 

“ William B. Olds (second term), 

- 1 “ 

“ 1852, 

“ William R. Stone, 

2 “ 

“ 1854, 

“ Nathan A. Soule, 

- 1 “ 

“ 1855, 

“ Jonathan L. Estey, 

1 “ 

“ 1856, 

“ Erastus B. Morgan, - 

- 6 months. 

“ 1856, 

“ Daniel Dorchester, 

ll years. 

“ 1858, 

“ Daniel Atkins, - 

- 2 “ 

“ 1860, 

“ Thomas J. Abbott, 

2 “ 

“ 1862, 

“ M. Emory Waight, - 

- 2 “ 

“ 1864, 

“ Moses P. Webster, 

1 “ 

“ 1865, 

“ Thomas B. Treadwell, 

- 2 “ 

“ 1867, 

“ Thomas Powers, - 

6 months. 

“ 1867, 

“ Samuel F. Cushman, - 

- 4 “ 

“ 1868, 

“ William B. Lacount, 

2 “ 


Warren F. Goodell, a local preacher, resident in this place, 
has supplied the pulpit in the absence of other preachers. 

In 1870 John Noon was their preacher. 





















































. 









' E Qg d b7AHBi^ e 
























BIOGBAPHICAL. 


CHAPTER III. 

HON. AARON TUFTS. 

M R - TUFTS, known as Dr. Tufts and Judge Tufts, was 
born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, January 30, 1770. 
His father dying while he was a child, he was left to the sole 
care of his mother. In 1776 he removed with her to Wood- 
stock, Connecticut, where he received the rudiments of his 
education in a common school. Though without the advan¬ 
tages of the facilities for education of the present day, yet 
he made highly respectable attainments in knowledge. 
He studied medicine with Dr. John Eliot Eaton, of Dudley, 
in which town the remainder of his life was spent. He 
practiced medicine about five years, and then engaged ex¬ 
tensively in manufacturing business, and acquired a hand¬ 
some fortune. 

At Dudley, in possession of an elegant residence and good 
estate, he maintained the hospitality of a gentleman, and gath¬ 
ered around him the essentials of a pleasant home. 

Few men in his day exerted a more commanding influence 
in the country. Though not what is called a man of “ liberal 
education,” his strong good sense, great sagacity, and broad 
experience rendered such an education the less necessary, 
and more than supplied it in the practical business of life, 
both public and private. 

31 


454 


DUDLEY. 


He for many years represented the town of Dudley in the 
General Court, and from 1810 to 1825 was a member of the 
senate. 

In 1819 he was appointed a justice of the Court of Sessions, 
which office he filled several years. 

Those who recall the long and difficult struggle, by which 
anything like a protective tariff was obtained from Congress, 
will remember how important it was deemed that the wisest, 
most discreet, and experienced friends of American industry 
should be employed to present their views before the commit¬ 
tees of Congress. Of the men selected for this purpose Judge 
Tufts was one, and no one who knew him doubted the wisdom 
of the selection. 

By the opportunities that offered he became widely and 
very favorably known in the country. He was distinguished 
for the energy and decision of character manifested in all 
his undertakings, and he combined with that an urbanity 
of manner, at once dignified and refined, which rendered him 
an agreeable companion in social life, and won the confidence 
of those around him. 

He married, May 22, 1790, Sally Barker, daughter of Wil¬ 
liam Barker, of Worcester. She died, March 2, 1842. The 
death of his only son, George Aaron Tufts, in whom his hopes 
had justly centered, saddened the evening of his days. Judge 
Tufts survived both son and wife till October 17, 1843, when 
an honorable and useful career was closed at the age of sev¬ 
enty-three years. 

HON. GEORGE A. TUFTS. 

Mr. Tufts was the only son of Hon. Aaron Tufts, for many 
years distinguished as a man of wealth and sagacity. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Dudley, February 
22, 1797. He graduated at Harvard university in 1818, was 














































DUDLEY. 


455 


one year and a quarter a member of the law school at Cam¬ 
bridge, studied law one year in the office of Hon. Josiah J. 
Fiske, the balance of time, making three years of legal studies, 
was in the office of Hon. Levi Lincoln, at Worcester, and 
admitted to the bar in Worcester, December, 1821. 

He at once entered upon the practice of his profession in 
his native town, and there continued until his death, December 
25, 1835. The same year he had been elected a member of 
the Massachusetts senate. His character was high-toned as 
a gentleman, extremely conscientious in his acts; was several 
years connected with the government of Nichols academy, 
and active in his efforts for the welfare of that institution, and 
the cause of education, generally. 

As a lawyer, he stood well with his associates at the bar; 
and his death was not only a source of regret to that frater¬ 
nity, but generally, and although he was cut off at a prema¬ 
ture age, yet his actions were characterized with all the con¬ 
sideration and wisdom of long practical experience. 

Mr. Tufts married, October 2,1822, Azubah Boy den Fales, 
daughter of David Fales, of Wrentliam. She was born, Octo¬ 
ber, 1796 ; died, November 27, 1835. 

Their only daughter, Sarah, was born, January 31, 1825, 
and married, April 26, 1853, to Hon. Francis H. Dewey, of 
Worcester, known more generally as Judge Dewey. They 
have five children now living. 

HON. PETER CHILD BACON. 

Peter Child Bacon was the son of Jepthah Bacon, Esq., of 
Dudley ; born there, November 11, 1804. He graduated at 
Brown university, in the class of 1827 ; read law at the New 
Haven law school; also in the office of Davis & Allen, of 
Worcester; Ira M. Barton, of Oxford ; and George A. Tufts, 
of Dudley. He was admitted to the bar in Worcester, in 


456 


DUDLEY. 


September, 1830, and commenced the practice of law in 
Dudley, but soon removed to Oxford, where he continued 
his profession twelve years, and then remoyed to Wor¬ 
cester, January 1, 1844, and has been constantly practic¬ 
ing there since. Mr. Bacon was elected a member of the 
house of representatives, to represent the city of Worcester 
in the General Court, the first year of its organization as a 
city, in the year 1848 ; was elected mayor of the city in 1851 
and 1852. 

The degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by Brown 
University, in 1857. 

For more than forty years past, Mr. Bacon has been con¬ 
stantly engaged in the practice of the law in this county, as 
the printed reports of the State and county will show. 

His father, Jepthah, wasson of Jonathan Bacon, and Martha, 
his wife; born at Uxbridge, March 31, 1770. His mother, 
Joanna Child, was daughter of Peter Child, and Susan, his 
wife; born at Woodstock, June 15, 1765. Jepthah Bacon, 
of Dudley, and Joanna Child, of Woodstock, were married 
the 26th of February, 1801, at Woodstock, by the Bev. Wm. 
Graves. 

The late Colonel Chester Child, a well-known and promi 
nent citizen of Woodstock, was a brother of Mrs. Joanna 
Child Bacon. Their father resided in the north parish of that 
town, and was known as an intelligent farmer. 

The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was 
Deacon Jonathan Bacon, known for his piety and benevo¬ 
lence. On both sides the grandparents were what is usually 
styled independent farmers ; both of the old Puritan stock 
of the orthodox faith in their religion. 

Jepthah Bacon, Esq., the father, was noted for his general 
intelligence. Although not bred to the law, he was better 
versed in its general principles than many lawyers ; and this 
knowledge, with his sound practical ideas, brought his time 


DUDLEY. 


457 


largely into demand in public and general business, and in 
this respect, as a correct draftsmen of deeds, agreements, and 
legal instruments, and as a safe counselor, be was scarcely 
equaled by any man in tlie south part of the county. His 
time for many years was chiefly employed by the community 
around him in the transaction of business of a legal character. 

He was a justice of the peace, and noted as a trial justice, 
and often in the employ of the town, to attend to all matters 
requiring legal knowledge. In politics he was a Federalist 
of the pure stamp, and was the representative from Dudley 
to the General Court when the question was brought forward 
and a vote taken favoring the holding the Hartford conven¬ 
tion, and he was the only Federalist that voted against hold¬ 
ing that convention. 

In giving his reason for this vote, he stated, that the regu¬ 
larly constituted authorities of his country had declared war, 
and he thought it the duty now of all parties to unite in pre¬ 
senting a firm and unbroken front in sustaining the govern¬ 
ment, and to do nothing that should tend to give aid or com¬ 
fort to the enemy. This was but a sample of the natural hon¬ 
esty and tendency of his mind. Although a Federalist, there 
was no man more patriotically devoted to sustaining the cause 
of the country in that war than Jepthah Bacon. Like many 
of the old Democratic party during the late Rebellion, they 
believed in the general principles that were the common bond 
of the party, as a political party ; but when their brethren of 
the South conspired to sever the Union,'they were no longer 
of their brotherhood, but regarded them as enemies of their 
country, and united as heartily in putting down the Rebellion 
as the most determined of the members of the Republican 
party. 

Mr. Bacon, whose character and history this is designed 
briefly to portray, is in his devotion to his country all that his 
father before him was; and in matters of law as a sate conn- 


458 


DUDLEY. 


selor and an advocate before a jury, or upon questions of law 
before the court, liis extensive legal knowledge, great expe¬ 
rience, and known ability, is so generally acknowledged, that 
this writer could add nothing to his just renown by any further 
remarks upon that point, but can not refrain from adding, that 
his kindness of heart to the young students of law, or practi¬ 
tioners, has given them always a ready friend and adviser. 

His large experience and inexhaustible store-house of legal 
knowledge and readiness to aid the less informed and skilled 
in the law, will long keep him in remembrance by a numer¬ 
ous class, as the source of their best ideas and most sound and 
practical points in their legal knowledge. 

As a counselor, this writer can state from experience in 
many instances, running through a period of thirty years, that 
in preparing his cases he is remarkable for the discovery of all 
the weak points of the question ; the good points he never 
troubles his client about; but his main and constant effort is 
to raise all possible points against the case, which leads the 
client almost to believe him an actual opponent. By this 
method he prepares and fortifies himself to meet the opposing 
counsel; having discussed and well considered the weak 
points, and prepared his answers before the case comes before 
the court for trial. Ho man in the county of Worcester is 
more generally and highly respected for his uprightness, 
kindness of heart, or honesty of purpose, than the subject of 
this article. 

NAMES OF INHABITANTS. 

Those known to be among the first settlers in this town are 
the following : 

Adams, Bacon, Chamberlain, Conant, Corbin, Davis, Ed¬ 
monds, Healy, Newell, Bobinson, Sabin, Wakefield, Putney, 
Carter, Lillie, and probably some others who were known to 
be inhabitants here in 1732, when this town was first organ- 


DUDLEY. 


459 


ized. These first settlers, who came from Roxbury, Newton, 
and about Salem, were like those who founded both Oxford 
and Woodstock. 

All this tract of land remained wild and unsettled until after 
the death of Governor Joseph Dudley, who, as has been stated 
in another place, deceased in the year 1720, when his sons, 
Paul and William Dudley, to whom most of the land here, 
and 6,000 acres adjoining in the south-west corner of Oxford, 
came by inheritance, when they began to sell them. Thus, not 
till after 1720, do we find any conveyances; but then the sales 
became quite general, and the deeds of all original purchases 
will be found to be from the Dudleys as grantors. To Cap¬ 
tain Peter Papillon was sold the Oxford lands, and it is 
believed that Mr. Healy was the first purchaser here; then 
Sabin, Newell, Corbin, etc. Soon after will be found the 
following settlers: Bailey, Baker, Cheney, Child, Courtis, 
Dodge, El well, Gore, Jewell, Marcy, Mixer, Morris, Taylor, 
Upham, and Vinton, who came before 1750. Then follow 
others, who are found here before 1800 : Ballard, Barnes, 
Blood, Brown, Cady, Carpenter, Clark, Eddy, Foster, Han¬ 
cock, Haven, Haskell, Hovey, May, Learned, Johnson, Marsh, 
Nichols, Perry, Pratt, Sayles, Taft, Waldron, Webster, Wil¬ 
liams, Wood; also, Ammidown, Day, and Keith. While there 
have been no very conspicuous names among either the found¬ 
ers of this town, or their descendants, they have generally been 
people of respectability—industrious and practical—sustaining 
good social relations, and exhibiting a constant moral and 
religious standing in the community around them. 

Perhaps the names of Learned, Davis, Bacon, Marcy, 
Healy, Hancock, Nichols, and Tufts, have been the most dis¬ 
tinguished of this place. 









































































- 



















































































































































Enga. by AH.Ritcb.ie 












WEBSTER. 


Section V. 


CHAPTER I. 

fT^HIS town was formed by taking a part of the territory 
of each of the towns of Oxford and Dudley, in the 
year 1832. 

Quite a large portion of this territory was a tract of land 
known for many years as “ Oxford South Gore;” and another 
tract belonging to the Pegan Indians (a remnant of the 
ancient Nipmucks), which was a concession made to these 
Indians by the town of Dudley for their relinquishment of 
certain rights to land located on Dudley hill, which was part 
of the land known formerly as “ Black James & Co.’s Grant,” 
surveyed to them in 1684, as referred to in another part of this 
work, it being a reservation equal to about five miles square, 
made by the ancestors of these Indians in their deed procured 
by Hon. William Stoughton and Joseph Dudley, agents of 
the colony, by the order of the General Court in 1681. In 
parting with the larger portion of their lands, which fell into 
the hands of Chief-Justice Paul Dudley and his brother, the 
Hon. William Dudley, they reserved 400 acres on Dudley 
hill, bounded north by Newell’s brook, which is north of the 
present center village of Dudley, and extending south, includ¬ 
ing part of Davis hill, which tract they exchanged with the 
town of Dudley for, the one that bordered on Chabanakong- 
32 



462 


WEBSTER. 


komun pond, which became a part of this town, with other 
lands of Dudley east of the French river. 

These natives for many years had been known and recog¬ 
nized by the Colonial Legislature, and more recently by the 
State Legislature of Massachusetts, as the Dudley Indians, and 
were under the care and protection of both the Colonial and 
State governments, which annually appointed agents, whose 
duty it was to exercise a guardianship over them, taking care 
that their rights were respected. Colonel Moses Marcy, of 
Sturbridge, filled this office many years. 

But, like the native race generally, when subjected to or sur¬ 
rounded by the white—degenerate by the loss of their native 
freedom, and habits of dissipation—they have, it is believed, 
nearly or entirely disappeared, having long since parted with 
these lands. 

Samuel Slater, styled “The Father of the Cotton Manufac¬ 
ture of the United States,” may very properly be regarded 
as the founder of Webster, as through the introduction 
of both the cotton and woolen manufacture here, its chief 
prosperity and population has been introduced. 

As it may be a matter of interest to the curious in historical 
matters to know by what means Mr. Slater became acquainted 
with the water-power at this place, which at the time was the 
extreme corners of the towns of Oxford and Dudley, in Mas¬ 
sachusetts, and of the town of Thompson, in Connecticut, 
the following relation of facts and circumstances is given: 

Mr. James Tiffany, of South Brimfield (now Wales), in 
Massachusetts, who for a number of years had been in the habit 
of visiting Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode Island, doing 
some marketing business and purchasing family supplies, had, 
in the course of his operations, formed an acquaintance with 
Samuel Slater and his cotton manufacture at the latter place. 

In the course of this acquaintance he often spoke to Mr. 
Slater of his sons, whom he referred to as^smart boys, well- 


WEBSTER. 


463 


educated and industrious, and importuned him to take them 
to learn to be manufacturers; finally, Mr. Slater consented 
that one of the boys should be sent down on trial. Soon after 
the eldest, Lyman, made his appearance at Pawtucket, and 
proving himself very apt and useful, he soon became quite a 
favorite in Mr. Slater’s family; particularly with Mrs. Slater. 
Not long after another of the boys came down ; this was Bela, 
who was also engaged in the business, and proved himself 
capable and quite satisfactory in the performance of the trusts 
confided to his care. 

At this time Mr. Slater was only a manufacturer of yarn; it 
being about the years 1808 to 1810, the manufacture of yarn 
into cloth was then only done by families upon the hand- 
loom, and in such quantities as domestic necessity required. 
But as business advanced, and yarns accumulated, it became 
a necessity with him to convert his surplus yarn into cloth, 
for a more ready sale; and as the mode of weaving yarn into 
cloth by water-power had not at this time been discovered, his 
resource was to the liand-loom process; and the families who 
best understood this business were those of farmers in the 
country, who, by reason of limited means for procuring articles 
of clothing, had been compelled to raise flax for the purpose 
of summer use and bedding, and to keep sheep for the pro¬ 
duct of wool for winter clothing; this flax and wool was spun 
into yarn and woven into cloth by the wives and daughters of 
these interior farmers, who by necessity had become skilled in 
the use of the hand-wheel and the liand-loom. 

To effect this object most economically, it was deemed best 
to erect his mills for the manufacture of yarn in the country, 
in the midst of a farming population, and with this plan in 
view he instituted inquiry as to some suitable location, when 
he was informed by his friend Tiffany of the valuable water¬ 
power afforded by the outlet of Chabanakongkomun pond. 

Mr. Tiffany, in his journeyings to and from Pawtucket and 


464 


WEBSTER. 


Providence, passed and repassed this outlet, which at that 
time was the principal way of travel; the more direct roads 
having since been built. 

With the recommendation of this water-power by the elder 
Tiffany, he dispatched Bela, then in his employ, in May, 
1811, who, having examined the premises, writes Mr. Slater 
as follows: 

“Franklin, May 27, 1811. 

“Mr. Samuel Slater: 

“ Dear JSir —I was very much disappointed when I arrived at Mr. Rud’s, 
in Uxbridge, for I had no information of the cause why you were not 
there. True the letter came Friday night, but through mistake, being 
brought after I had retired, was put into the post-office, and when I re¬ 
turned on Sunday morning (having been up to the pond), it was taken 
out of the office, and fortunately I found it; but I thought it best to pur¬ 
sue the intended journey, by which I could in some measure satisfy myself, 
which is as follows: Buildings—Large two-story house unfinished inside, 
built for two families; grist-mill with two run of stones, tolerably good; 
a very good saw-mill; and a trip-hammer shop, in good repair, with 
about 13 or 14 acres of land, one half of which is swamp of very little 
value, and the rest not very good. With regard to water and fall, there 
is no doubt enough to answer any purpose we should want, and so situated 
that a mill may be erected with as little expense as in any place I have 
seen; it is convenient to the road, and I believe quite secure from inunda¬ 
tion. 

‘ ‘The principal objection, in my opinion, is, that it is the most benighted 
part of the globe—4 miles from Oxford, 3 from Dudley, and 6£ from 
Thompson, where the corners of the three towns intersect each other. 

“ Terms are as follow: Four thousand dollars is the lowest terms: one 
thousand dollars down, in two years one thousand more, and then one 
thousand yearly until balance is paid; or if, at the expiration of one year, 
the residue is paid—that is, the three thousand dollars—a deduction of 
one hundred will be made, which I consider no object. I have the re¬ 
fusal at the above stipulations until the 20th of June, but he said it 
would oblige him if we could determine soon, as two men were expected 
to look at the place the 29th instant, who had seen it before, and so¬ 
licited him to join them and erect a mill; but he said he preferred to sell 
right out, as a farm life would be most agreeable to himself and family; 
and says that if I will sell my farm he will look at it, and did it suib-him, 
give a fair price, which will be some advantage to me, because it will 
about pay him for the privilege. 


WEBSTER. 


465 


“There is a farm adjoining the mill site of about 220 acres of land, a 
dwelling-house and barn, for sale, for about $3,000, which, if it should be 
wanted, may be had, and which may be worth very near that money. If 
you feel desirous to have the place, you will please write me, for I told 
him he should hear from me within that time, one way or the other. 

“Your obedient servant, ' 

“BELA TIFFANY.” 

It appears that Mr. Slater approved of the idea of purchas¬ 
ing this water-power and some adjoining lands, but the deeds 
were not taken until after the beginning of the following 
year. 

Mr. Bela Tiffany, who had examined this water-power and 
adjacent lands, and reported his views to Mr. Slater by the 
foregoing letter, was intrusted with the duty of securing the 
same by deeds. 

The original deeds were taken in his individual name, 
although designed principally for Mr. Slater. It appears to 
have been Mr. Slater’s mode of operation, when he had decided 
to make any large purchase where it would require time to 
effect the desired result, to keep his name in the background, 
and not excite public curiosity and notoriety, that might lead 
to an advance in the demands for the property he designed to 
acquire. 

These first purchases which were made by Mr. Tiffany in 
his individual name were as follows: Bought of three different 
parties—the first of Elijah Pratt, 9^- acres in two parcels, for 
the consideration of $3,700. 

One of these parcels of four acres contained a dwelling- 
house and barn, grist-mill and saw-mill, a trip-hammer shop, 
coal-liouse, and an old building formerly a grist-mill. The 
date of this first deed is “ January 6,1812,” and, as expressed 
in this deed, the land was located partly in each, Oxford and 
Dudley. 

The next was a lot of 203 acres, bought of Asa and Samuel 
Robinson, for the. consideration of $3,500, with the buildings 


466 


WEBSTER. 


thereon, be the same more or less, being all the land owned 
by these parties in the aforesaid towns of Oxford and Dudley; 
by deed dated “ January 28, 1812.” 

A third lot was bought of Josiah Kingsbury, of 56 acres, 
with a dwelling-house and clothing-mill thereon, for the con¬ 
sideration of $1,800, by deed dated “May 4,1812.” The three 
purchases containing 268-J- acres of land, with the aforesaid 
buildings and mills, giving the entire control of the outlet and 
water-power connected with the large pond before named, 
were secured, for the total sum of $9,000. 

As appears by the records of deeds at Worcester, Mr. Bela 
Tiffany sold to Samuel Slater five sixths of all this property 
at the precise cost to him, $7,500, making a joint interest to 
be held in common and undivided, he reserving one sixth for 
himself. 

This deed is dated the “11th of December, 1812;” and wit¬ 
nessed by Samuel A. Hitchcock and Loring Tiffany, who were 
then acting in the capacity of clerks for Slater & Tiffany; 
the title by which these parties were known for several 
years after these purchases were made, and under this name 
they at once proceeded to occupy this power for the purpose 
of the cotton manufacture. 

The cotton factory,known as the “Green Mill,” was erected 
during the year 1812, and the manufacture of cotton into yarn 
was first began here in the following year, 1813. It appears 
that the dye and bleaching buildings were built at the same 
time, and placed under the care of Mr. John Tyson, a man 
skilled in that line of work; and who, it appears, held a joint 
interest in the business. 

The buildings for the dye-house were in a state of forward¬ 
ness early in 1813, as appears by a letter from Mr. Tif¬ 
fany to Mr. Slater, dated at Oxford, the 26th of January of 
that year, in which he advises Mr. Slater, then at Pawtucket, 
to bring up Mr. Tyson, as they were ready for him to arrange 


WEBSTER. 


467 


the dye-works, as the machinery was about ready to start. By 
other letters it appears that Mr. Tyson was here engaged in 
the dye-works early in March ; thus it is reasonable to suppose 
that he came to this place in February, 1813. The yarns 
from the old mill at Pawtucket were sent here to be dyed by 
Tyson, as well as the yarns spun in the new mill here. 

Mr. Tyson continued connected with the dye-house business 
from seven to eight years, and proved himself a very capable 
and industrious man, but by hard labor and exposure in the 
dampness connected with his labors, he injured his health, and 
after one or more voyages to Bermuda for relief, he died of 
consumption the 2d of August, 1821. It further appears by a 
letter from A. W. Porter,then engaged in Mr. Slater’s business 
here, dated ‘‘September 9,1821,” that an account of stock was 
taken to ascertain Mr. Tyson’s interest, in which he says: “We 
took the account of stock in dye-house yesterday, the 8th, and 
shall commence again work there on your account to-morrow, 
the 10th, that is, of September, 1821.” 

Mr. John Tyson was a worthy man, and had by his industry, 
it is understood, accumulated an estate of about twenty thou¬ 
sand dollars. 

In returning to the operations of Messrs. Slater & Tilfany, 
it may be said, that besides the management of the cotton 
manufacture and dyeing and bleaching business, a store was 
added, and that further purchases of real estate continued, as 
follows : 

January 5, 1814, from Stephen Holmes and Alanson Bates, 58 acres; 
paid $1,100. Recorded, b. 189, p. 276. 

February 17, 1814, from Svlvanus Pratt, 3 acres, 36 rods; paid $36. 
Recorded, b. 189, p. 381. 

July 24, 1814, from Jonathan Day and John Bates, 15£ acres, 9 rods; 
paid $280. Recorded, b. 193, p. 226. 

March 15, 1815, from Ebenezer Foster, half of 15 acres; paid $100. Re¬ 
corded, b. 199, p. 423. 

Bela Tiffany sells to Samuel Slater his interest in all the 


468 


WEBSTER. 


above lands and buildings, and the business which Slater and 
Tiffany had organized and conducted at this place,'including 
his interest with Samuel Slater and John Tyson in the Oxford 
dye-house company ; the price paid by Mr. Slater was $8,400. 
Date of deed “ November, 27, 1816recorded, book 203, 
page 188. 

It is understood that the cause which induced Mr. Tiffany 
to leave this business with Mr. Slater was the great depres¬ 
sion in the cotton manufacture which followed the close of the 
war between Great Britain and the United States, December, 
1814, consequent upon the large importation of English manu¬ 
factures. There was no disagreement; but, on the whole, Mr. 
Slater was pleased with the active management of Mr. Tiffany 
in the inauguration of this business. 

Mr. Slater, as sole owner, now continued this cotton man¬ 
ufacture. But it appears that besides this business as con¬ 
ducted by Slater and Tiffany, and the dye-house in connection 
with John Tyson, as has been shown by the foregoing, he be¬ 
gan the woolen manufacture here as early as about 1814. 
At this time was commenced the making of broad-cloths, 
under the charge of that remarkable person, Edward Howard, 
who was a Yorkshire man; and in accordance with Mr. Slater’s 
well-known kindness to his native countrymen, by the applica¬ 
tion of Mr. Howard, who had been trained to the manufacture 
of wool, he was induced to give him employment in this line. 
Thus it may be said that Edward Howard was the originator of 
the wool business in this place, and it is believed was among 
the first—if not exclusively so—to introduce the manufacture 
of American broad-cloth. More will be said on the subject of 
the wool manufacture in this town in another place. Like 
most Englishmen, it seems to have been the penchant of Mr. 
Slater to accumulate land, and thus we find a continuation of 
purchases, as follows : 


WEBSTER. 469 

October 2, 1817, from Samuel Crane, 30 acres and 140 rods; paid $300. 
Recorded, b. 208, p. 420. 

November 15, 1817, from Rufus More, half of 26 acres and 140 rods; 
paid $313.50. Recorded, b. 208, p. 464. 

September 20, 1817, from Jonathan Harris, 16 acres, paid $104. 
Recorded, b. 210, p. 22. 

January 26, 1818, from Thomas Keith, 14 acres and 12 rods; paid 
$200. Recorded, b. 210, p. 261. 

March 15, 1818, from John Rodman, 50 acres; paid $400. Recorded, 
b. 210, p. 265. 

June 12, 1819, from Jedediah Corbin, 38£ acres, paid $385. Recorded, 
b. 214, p. 582. 

November 1, 1819, from Philip and Warren Brpwn, flowage; paid 
$175. Recorded, b. 219, p. 105. 

July 2, 1819, from John Bates and J. Bates, Jr., flowage; paid $425. 
Recorded, b. 219, p. 107. 

July 17, 1819, from John Rawson, flowage; paid $30. Recorded, b. 

218, p. 206. 

November 9, 1819, from Philip and Warren Brown, flowage; paid 
$140. Recorded, b. 219, p. 106. 

April 1, 1820, from Colvin Phipps, 13 acres and 4 rods; paid$286.55. 
Recorded, b. 221, p. 106. 

August 16, 1820, from Rufus Learned, 19 acres and 97 rods; paid 
178. Recorded, b. 222, p. 105. 

May 7, 1821, from Doctor Rawson, 130 acres and 14 rods; paid $550. 
Recorded, b. 225, p. 381. 

August 2, 1821, from John Jocelin, flowage; paid $50. Recorded, b. 
223, p. 572. 


Hitherto Mr. Slater’s business here had been confined to 
the water-power connected with the Chabanakongkomun pond, 
at the east village, but this year, 1821, he made use of Edward 
Howard to make a location upon the French river, now 
known as the south village. 

July 18, 1821, Edward Howard bought of William Wakefield and Gibbs 
Dodge, executors of Solomon Wakefield, certain land; deed recorded, 
b. 223, p. 569. Another tract of William Wakefield, deed, February 25, 
1822; recorded, b. 229, p. 12. And a third tract from David Wakefield, 
by deed, August 13, 1821; recorded, b. 226, p. 70. And a fourth tract, 
the Nathaniel Hall wood lot, bought of Daniel Mansfield, thirty-two 
acres, by deed, July 6, 1822. 


470 


WEBSTER. 


Tliis embraced several mills and buildings where the woolen 
works are now located, at a cost of about $12,000. 

December 8, 1822, Mr. Howard sells one undivided half of 
all these purchases to Samuel Slater for $6,000 ; and, on the 
10tli of December following, mortgages the other half to 
Mr. Slater for $6,000; the first deed is recorded, b. 231, p. 100, 
and the mortgage recorded, b 231, p. 101, thus showing that 
in fact the whole operation was the project of Samuel Slater. 
The old woolen works were destroyed by fire at the east vil¬ 
lage, in January, 1822, but before this the new mills had been 
begun at the French river. Business was now conducted 
here in the name of Slater & Howard. 

Slater & Howard now purchased the following property: 

December 6, 1822, from Jeremiah Austin, 105 acres; paid $701. 
Recorded, b. 231, p. 103. 

February 13, 1823, from Hollis Witt, 30 acres; paid $345. Recorded, 
b. 234, p. 46. 

April 19, 1823, from Thomas Twiss, mortgage; paid $265. Recorded, 
b. 234, p. 45. 

May 12, 1823, from Charles P. Nichols, 11 acres; paid $500. Re¬ 
corded, b. 233, p. 205. 

July 29, 1823, from William Robinson, Jr., and Solomon Robinson, 
44^-acres; paid $667.50. Recorded, b. 238, p. 276. 

October 13, 1823, from Abijah Davis, 100 acres; paid $1,300. Re¬ 
corded, b. 236, p. 101. 

January 4, 1824, from John Wetherell, 10 acres; paid $200. Re¬ 
corded, b. 237, p. 476. 

June 5, 1824, from William Brown, 50 acres; paid $500. Recorded, 
b. 237, p. 477. 

May 13, 1824, from Joel Wakefield, 50 acres, 133 rods; paid $457.48. 
Recorded, b. 239, p. 398. 

June 2, 1824, from William Wakefield, flowage; paid $225. Recorded, 
b. 239, p. 401. 

June 16, 1824, from Silas Walker and Jason Walker, 26 acres, 50 
rods; paid $130. Recorded, b. 239, p. 399. 

July 5, 1824, from William Wakefield, 40 rods; paid $500. Recorded 
b. 239, p. 401. 

November 6, 1824, from Braman & Benedict, flowage; paid $500. 
Recorded, b. 241, p. 178. 


WEBSTER. 


471 


VILLAGE FACTORY SALE. 

November 6, 1824, from Dana A. Braman, William M. Benedict, and 
Jason Waters, to Slater & Howard, the village factory estate, 15^ acres, 
25 rods: paid $7,500. Recorded, b. 241, p. 180. 

Together with the village factory, dwelling-houses, and all 
other buildings thereon, and the water privilege belonging 
thereto, to the Village Cotton, Woolen and 'Linen Manufac¬ 
turing Company; reference being had to the deed of Samuel 
AVaters and others to above Village Factory Company,* for 
deeds for right of ho wage from sundry parties, covering 329 
acres, for which was paid $1,749. 

June 14, 1825, from Afoijah Davis, 83 acres; paid $500. Recorded, 
b. 244, p. 318. 

November 30, 1826, from John Tolman, 192 acres; paid $600. Re¬ 
corded, b. 251, p. 476. Located in Douglas and Oxford, South Gore. 

1826, from sundry parties, 69f acres; paid $1,169.50. Recorded, b. 
251, pp. 598-602. Right of dower of widow of James Hill. 

August 18, 1826, from Luther Bartlet, 245 rods, three lots; paid $1,800. 
Recorded, b. 253, p. 105. Including water-power and buildings. 

April 2, 1827, from John Bates, 30 acres, near pond; paid $105. Re¬ 
corded, b. 255, p. 444. 

April 3, 1827, from Ebenezer Emerson, 122 acres; paid $1,000. Re¬ 
corded, b. 255, p. 445. 

April 4, 1827, from Reuben Tuft, 109 rods, and house; paid $423. 
Recorded, b. 255, p. 446. 

April 16,1827, from Nathan Cady, 32 acres; paid $640. Recorded, 
b. 256, p. 78. 

May 1, 1827, from Stephen Bartlet and Luther Bartlet, 75 acres; paid 
$6,000. Recorded, b. 254, p. 610. 

This purchase included all the estate of Stephen Bartlet, 
deceased, father of the grantors, with the buildings thereon, 
the water-power and all other privileges connected therewith, 
say, twenty four acres on east side of French river, except 
Luther Bartlet’s store; and including saw-mill, half black¬ 
smith shop, coal-house, grist-mill, and the Peter pond wood 
lot, the west side of said river, about twenty acres. 

* See Records, b. 220, p, 430; also, b. 240, pp. 652 to 562. 



472 


WEBSTER. 


September 10, 1827, from Charles Negus, 21 acres; paid $640. Re¬ 
corded, b. 256, p. 79. 

August 18, 1827, from William Braman, 50 acres; subject to mort¬ 
gage; paid $92. Recorded, b. 257, p. 311. 

January 14, 1828, from Nathan Hall, 50 acres, south gore; paid $300. 
Recorded, b. 261, p. 363. 

April 5,1828, from Celia Campbell, 37 acres; paid $262.50. Recorded, 
b. 261, p. 192. 

March 9, 1828, from William Archer, 50 acres; paid $880. Recorded, 
b. 259, p. 582. 

A large part of the above conveyances, since July 18,1821, 
were taken in the name of Samuel Slater and Edward How¬ 
ard ; the style of this firm being Slater & Howard. 

Edward Howard sells to Samuel Slater, of Oxford; George 
B. Slater, and Horatio Nelson Slater, of Dudley; January 2, 
1829, consideration $30,000,* his one undivided half of the 
property of the Woolen Manufacturing Company; and thus 
all these purchases, since December 11, 1812, to this date, 
have become the sole property of Samuel Slater & Sons 
(the present name of said firm), including all the water-power 
and manufacturing business, cotton and woolen, now in the 
town of Webster. 

This includes all the water-power supplied by the French 
river, within the limits of Webster, and the pond before 
named. This mill property and the real estate connected with 
the same constitutes a large portion of the valuation of this 
town, and has also given value very largely to the real estate 
owned here by the other inhabitants. 

The date of this purchase of the interest of Edward How¬ 
ard, in the year 1829, was probably the most embarrassing of 
any period in Mr. Slater’s large business experience. The 
years 1815 and 1816 were a severe period for the parties who 
were the pioneers in American manufactures, and resulted 
generally in the loss of the capital they had invested. 


See Records, b. 264, p. 597. 



WEBSTER. 


473 


That of 1829 was no less severe; but it fell upon a much 
larger number of persons, and affected a vastly greater capi¬ 
tal invested in that branch of business. 

Previous to this year, Mr. Slater’s business had rapidly pro¬ 
gressed, and with such financial skill, that his total indebted¬ 
ness was very limited—only to the extent of monthly pay¬ 
rolls, which his sales of manufactured fabrics always afforded 
ample means to discharge, while he had many thousands of 
dollars on loan secured by mortgages. 

But through his kindness of heart he had suffered himself 
to become indorser for relatives and friends to the amount of 
about $300,000, when the extreme pressure in financial affairs 
at this time had produced the most depressing effect upon 
manufacturing property. 

For these indorsements he had, as supposed, received 
ample security; but in times of great depression and strin¬ 
gency in monetary affairs the holders of money become easily 
frightened and lose confidence, not only in the responsibility 
of individuals, but in the money value of all real and personal 
property ; such was the case at this time. 

His relatives, Abraham, Isaac, and David Wilkinson, hav¬ 
ing, with others who were indebted to him, suspended pay¬ 
ment, obliged him at once to provide for these indorsements, 
and at a time when his manufacturing property was regarded 
by many capitalists as nearly valueless. 

In a letter to one of his consignees, the 7th of' January, 
1829, he writes: 


“ It is rather a pinching time here for money; though many borrow¬ 
ers of money say times are becoming more easy. Since the failure of 
Hurd (the woolen manufacturer of Lowell), money jobbers and anti¬ 
tariff folks have propounded almost every one who has seen or at least 
touched of late a cotton or woolen factory, that he must go down stream, 
and amongst them soine whose chins are barely above water are {friendly) 
afraid that I have a very heavy load on my back, etc. It is true, I am 
on two neighbors’ paper, but am partially secured, and hope in a day or 


474 


WEBSTER. 


two to be fully secured against any eventual loss, provided Mount Etna 
should not extend its lava much beyond the usual limits. 

“Last week, my sons, George, John, and Nelson, bought out my old 
friend, Edward Howard, in the woolen business, which relieves my mind 
considerably. The business in future will be transacted by myself and 
sons; and as it respects the Amoskeague and steam cotton manufactur¬ 
ing company, including the woolen factory and all my private concerns 
(which I consider very trivial), I think I can boldly say, after the whole 
company debts are paid (all of which I have to meet), there will be left 
from $800,000 to 1,000,000 dollars, to all concerned. I hereby mention 
these circumstances to, in some measure, rebut any flying reports that 
may reach your city (Philadelphia), and of course will not retard your 
acceptance of my paper so long as you have my funds in your hands to 
make you perfectly secure. 

“SAMUEL SLATER.” 

Again, on the 3d of February, 1829, he writes : 

“ Samuel Slater & Sons have come to the determination to place that 
ignoble establishment in Dudley, called ‘ Slater & Howard’s Woolen 
Factory,’ in a state of respectability. Whether or not it was got up in 
iniquity, I can not say; but I fear some things during the life of it are 
mysterious. It is the united wish of S. Slater & Sons to sink into 
oblivion the past inroads that have been made, one way or another, on 
that establishment. They are very anxious to place the business in fu¬ 
ture on a fair mutual ground, so as to save about six thousand dollars a 
year for extra stock, raising the wind, bad debts, and too liberal com¬ 
missions. 

“SAMUEL SLATER.” 

To show further the condition of the manufacturing: business 
at this time, and the effect upon Mr. Slater, the following part 
of a letter written by him at North Providence, August 3, 
1829, is here given : 

“In regard to my indorsements for David Wilkinson, they are heavy, 
without doubt, but I am secured for the whole eventually. 

* £ The steam-mill at Providence is in debt to a large amount, but, as 
$70,000 have been paid in, and as the whole establishment is holden for 
her debts, I conceive, taking all things into view, that the deprecia¬ 
tion will not exceed the amount paid in. As I have to look up entire 
new friends to aid me in my unexpected liabilities, it makes my task 
more arduous. There is coming due at different periods, at the Mer¬ 
chants’ Bank, Providence, on David Wilkinson and J. Kennedy’s 


WEBSTER. 


475 


account, about $62,000, which some of the directors say I can have my 
own time to pay. Brown & Ives, and Cyrus Butler, sent me word that 
they wished to have an interview with me; they say I must be carried 
through, and I doubt not they will do it. 

“My brother (John Slater) is down here, and he and Mr. Sayles 
(Willard, of Boston, supposed), made out a sketch of my real and personal 
property, valued in their judgment, at what they consider it worth now ) 
at $690,000, leaving out the Dudley woolen establishment. As respects 
your observations relative to your fears not being unreasonable, I make 
every allowance, after taking into view your informant, whom I for years 
have thought was a near-ox, but now I have reason to believe the off-side 
is more congenial to his feelings. 

“ It is contemplated to make some arrangements to-morrow, so as to 
put my affairs in a proper train. 

‘ ‘ When I see you face to face I will gi,ve you a history of human or 
inhuman generosity. 

Two of my consignees have already offered to loan me $10,000 each, 
over and above the amount of invoices, whom I have not been acquainted 
with ‘forty years .’ The failures round here are pretty frequent—the 
names, no doubt, you have already heard; I shall endeavor to advise you 
frequently of what is going on here. 

“SAMUEL SLATER.” 

The experience of Mr. Slater, at this time, with regard to 
those who had, during his long career of signal prosperity, 
always manifested towards him strong marks of friendship, 
led him to suppose that, under adverse circumstances, there 
would he found in them a sure source of reliance for aid; hut 
when the trial came it exhibited a state of things in which his 
case is no particular exception, that friendship gained hy pros¬ 
perity is not always disinterested or reliable in adversity. 

His allusion to the near-ox , which now he had reason to 
believe the off-side , as more congenial to his feelings, had no 
doubt reference to his former partner and friend, William 
Almy, to whom he had applied for aid in this pressing 
but temporary emergency, that several recent failures of his 
friends had occasioned, and who gave unexpectedly an evasive 
reply that was equivalent to a refusal. This unexpected turn 
of his affairs, and conduct of several of his former friends, was 
for the time a severe trial. 


476 


WEBSTER. 


But all this did not shake Mr. Slater’s confidence in his ulti¬ 
mate ability, without outside aid, to resuscitate his affairs, and 
save a large portion of his great estate. As a last resort, 
should no other parties afford him the temporary aid now 
required, he had determined to close for a time all his manu¬ 
facturing operations, until he could realize from the property 
held as security for his name, then in the market for about 
$300,000. This course, when known to the principal capital¬ 
ists of Rhode Island, caused much alarm for the safety of 
themselves, and many others in whom they were interested. 

It did not require great foresight to see that a stoppage for 
a season of such extensive operations as those of Mr. Slater’s 
would have a general disastrous effect in the community, and 
cause great depreciation of values. It was through this aspect 
of affairs that Messrs. Brown & Ives, Cyrus Butler, and others, 
provided the temporary aid that enabled him to forego the 
suspension, and to go on with his usual business, and gradually 
relieve himself from this embarrassment. 

His credit soon came out untarnished, and, as is generally 
the result where persons are enabled to hold on and continue 
their business through a severe crisis in monetary affairs, their 
subsequent success is greater than the former, and such was 
no exception with Samuel Slater. 

There would not be a complete history of this south village 
without giving some further sketch of the principal manager 
and founder of the woolen business here, Edward Howard. 
The business men of the woolen manufacture, of the period 
from 40 to 50 years since, were generally well acquainted 
with this person through all parts of Hew England, and his 
connection with Mr. Slater gave him a degree of consequen¬ 
tial notoriety, probably much beyond his real deserts. 

He possessed considerable talent, and a general knowledge 
of the process of wool manufacture; but lacked much in econ¬ 
omy and system, while his habits were of a most dissolute 


WEBSTER. 


477 


character, which perhaps are more truthfully given by another 
in a letter to this writer, now before him, than by any de¬ 
scription that might otherwise be given. 

The author of this letter had a continuous acquaintance 
with Mr. Howard during the fifteen years he was engaged 
with Mr. Slater, and writes as follows : 

“You have probably seen Edward Howard—a most extraordinary in¬ 
dividual. This big Yorkshireman, of good mental capacity, was a very 
giant in size, rotund, rosy, and jolly to a remarkable degree. *It is impos¬ 
sible for the ‘ milksops 5 of our degenerate age to conceive of the grand 
fashion in which Howard and his boon companions drank rum and sung 
songs, making these hills and valleys vocal with their huge carousals. 

“With all his faults, which were not few, Howard had a soft heart, 
which brought the tear of pity to his eye at the recital of a tale of dis¬ 
tress. His miserable end will produce a feeling of sadness with those 
who knew him in his prosperity. He returned to Yorkshire, I am in¬ 
formed, a few years since, and after working a while for wages, at last 
died at an advanced age in a house of charity. 

“Please pardon this long tale about one who, I suppose, may have been 
well known to you. Howard seems to belong to the history of this 
region.” 

It may be said appropriately here, that Bela Tiffany, John 
Tyson, and Edward Howard were the chief managers—the 
pioneers and moving spirits—that executed the plans of 
Mr. Slater in founding what is now the principal business of 
Webster, and that which furnishes its chief prosperity and 
growth as a town. 

Mr. Tiffany, after retiring from the business here, entered 
upon the commission sale of American cotton and wool man¬ 
ufactures in Boston and Hew York, and made that a special 
business till about 1832, when he retired from active labors 
with a moderate competency, and located himself and family 
at Southbridge, where he maintained a favorable social position; 
having been connected with the founding of the Southbridge 
bank, and many public improvements there, and representing 
that town in the Legislature. He died, June 29,1851, aged 65, 
33 


478 


WEBSTER. 


and his remains and those of his first wife, and Caroline, 
Mrs. Stow, his youngest daughter, were buried in the cemetery 
at Southbridge. Mrs. Tiffany died, April 16, 1839, aged 52, 
and the daughter Caroline died, November 13,1859, aged 39. 

It was during the severe monetary crisis of 1829 that Mr. 
Slater sold his third interest in the old Pawtucket mill, where 
the firm of Almy, Brown & Slater spun the first yarn on 
frames propelled by water, that was produced by this process 
in America. 

He also sold at this time his one fourth part of the Smith- 
field Manufacturing Company’s property, William Almy be¬ 
ing the purchaser of both estates. 

But while selling these parts of mills he received the large 
steam cotton-mill in Providence, and other estates, by which, 
as the manufacturing business revived, his wealth became 
greatly advanced. 

This return of prosperity brought him to the height of his 
renown as a manufacturer, and as a clear-sighted, thorough, 
and practical business man. 

It may be affirmed that, while nearly all parties who were 
among the pioneers in establishing the manufacture of cotton 
and wool, in this country, were unsuccessful, Mr. Slater always 
provided fully for all his engagements. 

He was among the first, if not the earliest, who engaged in 
the manufacture of broadcloths, and this at the east village in 
this town, under the charge of Mr. Howard, before referred to, 
in 1814, which business, with the exception of from 1852 to 
about 1862, has been continued up to the present time, while all 
other parties engaged in the manufacture of broadcloth have 
either failed or voluntarily discontinued that branch of the 
woolen manufacture. 

Mr. Samuel Slater made this town his residence many years, 
and died here on the 20th of April, 1835, aged 67. No man 
of his time engaged in business in this country was more gen- 


WEBSTER. 


479 


erally known or maintained more highly his integrity for fair 
and honorable dealing, or whose moral worth was more highly 
regarded. His naturally kind feelings inclined him to acts of 
benevolence, and no one with a just claim for favor left him 
without partaking of his liberality. 

The extensive manufacturing business systematized and con¬ 
ducted here advantageously by Mr. Slater has since been 
carried on under the direction of his son, Horatio H. Slater, 
Esq., with equal success, for the joint benefit of the surviving 
heirs, and of whom it may be said that he ably sustains all 
the valuable characteristics of his father. 

The rise and progress of this business has made the town of 
Webster; and whatever belongs to its history and that of this 
family, is but a part of the history of this town; and thus both 
must be treated in such connection. 

It is known by persons generally acquainted with the his¬ 
tory of American manufactures, particularly of the cotton 
manufacture in the United States, that Mr. Slater was by birth 
an Englishman, and continued to reside in his native country 
until he arrived at the age of manhood. 

During the period from the age of fourteen years to that 
of twenty-one he served an apprenticeship with Jedediah 
Strutt, an eminent cotton manufacturer, who was associated in 
a partnership in this business with the celebrated inventor of 
the water-power spinning machinery, Richard Arkwright. 

It was during this apprenticeship that young Slater beamce 
an expert by his close application and attention to all parts, with 
both the manufacture of the machinery, and of the cotton by the 
same; that made him in every respect a competent manufac¬ 
turer of cotton, and of the machinery upon which the goods 
were made. 

He had served in all its parts, from the beginning with the 
raw cotton through the different processes till yarn was pro¬ 
duced. He also worked at the manufacture of the machinery 


480 


WEBSTER. 


upon which this process was carried on ; was a practical me¬ 
chanic, and understood perfectly the mode of construction of 
all its parts, through the picking, carding, roping, and spin¬ 
ning; which knowledge was the capital he employed in com¬ 
mencing his successful career of business in America. 

Mr. Slater proved himself a practical example that knowl¬ 
edge is power ; and no better example can be found for the 
rising youth of our country? It demonstrates the problem 
that self-reliance and an application of individual power is far 
more sure of success and ultimate eminence and respectability 
than all the inherited wealth or character of renowned an¬ 
cestry. 

When about completing his seven years of apprenticeship, 
there fell under his notice an offer of a premium from parties 
in Philadelphia for any person who could introduce the Ark¬ 
wright machinery into the United States, and other notices of 
the demand for skilled labor in this branch of manufacture. 
This circumstance attracted his attention to the advantages to 
be gained by the knowledge he possessed, by turning it to 
account in the rising business in this new government. 

Under the English laws he knew he could not take with 
him any models or tools, or even drafts, without great haz¬ 
ard, and having decided to embark for America, he left his 
native land as a plain country farmer ; but when ready to 
sail placed a letter in the post for his mother (his father having 
deceased when he was but fourteen years of age), informing her 
that he had left the country for the United States. He left 
Derbyshire, his native place, for London, September 1,1789 ; 
on the 13th sailed for New York, and after sixty-six days ar¬ 
rived in that city. He soon became acquainted with the New 
York Manufacturing Company, and engaged in their business ; 
but this proved unsatisfactory to him. 

While here, through an introduction to a captain of a Pro¬ 
vidence packet, he learned of Moses Brown, who was engaged 


WEBSTER. 


481 


in the cotton manufacture at Providence. He had thought of 
going-to Philadelphia, hut, through the advice of this captain, 
he addressed the following letter to Mr. Brown: 


“New York, December 2, 1789. 

“ Sir —A few days ago I was informed that you wanted a manager of 
cotton, spinning, &c., in which business I flatter myself that I can give the 
greatest satisfaction in making machinery, making good yarn, either for 
stockings, or for twist, as any that is made in England, as I have had 
opportunity, and an oversight of Sir Richard Arkwright’s works, and in 
Mr. Strutt’s mill, upwards of eight years. If you are not provided for, 
should be glad to serve you, though I am in the New York manufactory, 
and have been three weeks since I arrived from England. But we have 
but one card, two machines, two spinning jennies, which I think are not 
worth using. My encouragement is pretty good, but should much 
rather have the care of the perpetual carding and spinning. My inten¬ 
tion is to erect a perpetual carding and spinning (meaning the Ark¬ 
wright patents). If you please to drop a line respecting the amount of 
encouragement you wish to give, by favor of Captain Brown, you will 
much oblige, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 

“SAMUEL SLATER. 

“ P. S.—Please to direct to me at No. 87 Golden Hill, New York. 

“Mr. Brown, Providence.” 

Mr. Brown replied as follows : 

“Providence, 10th, 12th month, 1789. 

‘ ‘ Friend —I received thine of 2d instant, and observe its contents. I, 
or rather Almy & Brown, who have the business in the cotton line 
which I began, one being my son-in-law and the other a kinsman, want 
the assistance of a person skilled in the frame or water spinning. An 
experiment has been made, which has failed, no person being acquainted 
with the business, and the frames imperfect. 

We are destitute of a person acquainted with water-frame spinning; 
thy being already engaged in a factory with many able proprietors, we 
can hardly suppose we can give thee encouragement adequate to leaving 
thy present employ. As the frame we have is the first attempt of the 
kind that has been made in America, it is too imperfect to afford much 
encouragement; we hardly know what to say to thee, but if thou thought 
thou couldst perfect and conduct them to profit, if thou will CQme and 
do it, thou slialt have all the profits made of them over and above the 
interest on the money they cost, and the wear and tear of them. We 
will find stock, and be repaid in yarn as we may agree, for six months. 


482 


WEBSTER. 


And this we do for the information thou can give, if fully acquainted 
with the business. After this, if we find the business profitable, we can 
enlarge it, or before, if sufficient proof of it be had on trial, ahd can 
make any further agreement that may appear best and agreeable on all 
sides. We have secured only a temporary water convenience; but, if we 
find the business profitable, can perpetuate one that is convenient. If 
thy prospects should be better, and thou should know of any other per¬ 
son unengaged, should be obliged to thee to mention us to him. In the 
mean time, shall be glad to be informed whether thou come or not. If 
thy present situation does not come up to what thou wishest, and, from 
thy knowledge of business, can be ascertained of the advantages of the 
mills, so as to induce thee to come and work ours, and have the credit as 
well as the advantage of perfecting the first mill in America, we should 
be glad to engage thy care so long as it can be made profitable to both, 
and we can agree. I am, for myself and Almy & Brown, thy friend, 

“MOSES BROWN. 

“Samuel Slater, at 37 Golden Hill, New York.” 

Mr. Slater having received the above letter, and considered 
the inducements it appeared to hold out to him, decided to 
visit Providence, to have a personal interview with Mr. Brown 
and his partners, and left New York in January, 1790, for 
that purpose. 

On arriving at Providence, and meeting Mr. Brown, he as¬ 
sured him that he was capable of performing all he had 
promised by his letter, and as corroborate evidence he exhib¬ 
ited to him his indenture with Mr. Strutt, who spun at that 
time the best yarn in England. 

He then visited, with Mr. Brown, the mill and machinery 
(such as it was) at Pawtucket. On sight of this he shook his 
head, and exhibited much disappointment. He said, “ These 
will not do ; they are good for nothing; nor can they be made 
of any value for making yarn; they are only valuable for 
old iron.” 

After some consultation on the subject, it was proposed and 
agreed between the parties that Mr. Slater should construct 
a set of the Arkwright machines for manufacturing cotton 
into yarn, with the promise of a suitable mechanic to aid 


WEBSTER. 


483 


him, who was competent to work on the part to he made of 
wood. “ With such assistance,” said he, “ if I do not make as 
good yarn as they do in England, I will have nothing for my 
services.” Upon this understanding a contract was made 
under the following 


“ AGREEMENT. 

“ This agreement, made between William Almy and Smith Brown of 
the one part, and Samuel Slater of the other part, Witnesseth: That the 
said parties have mutually agreed to be concerned together, in and 
to carry on the spinning of cotton by water (of which the said Samuel 
professes himself a workman well skilled in all its branches), upon the 
following terms, viz.: That the said Almy and Brown, on their part, are 
to turn in the machinery which they have already purchased, at the price 
it cost them, and to furnish materials for the building of two carding- 
machines (a breaker and finisher), a drawing and roving machine; and 
to extend the spinning-mills, or frames, to 100 spindles. 

‘ ‘ And the said Samuel, on his part, covenants and agrees to devote his 
whole time and service, and to exert his skill according to the best of 
his abilities, and have the same effected in a workmanlike manner, sim¬ 
ilar to those used in England, for the like purpose. And it is mutually 
agreed between the said parties that the said Samuel shall be considered 
as owner and proprietor in one half of the machinery aforesaid, and ac¬ 
countable for one half of the expense that hath arisen, or shall arise, 
from the building, purchasing, or repairing of the same; but not to sell 
or in any manner dispose of any part or parcel thereof, to any other per¬ 
son or persons, excepting the said Almy and Brown; neither shall any 
others be entitled to hold any right, interest, or claim in any part of the 
said machinery, by virtue of any right which the said Slater shall or 
may derive from these presents, unless by an agreement expressed in 
writing from the said Almy and Brown—first had and obtained—unless 
the said Slater has punctually paid one half of the cost of the said ma¬ 
chinery, with interest thereon; nor then, until he has offered the same 
to the said Almy and Brown in writing upon the lowest terms, that he 
will sell or dispose of his part of the said machinery to any other person 
—and instructed the said Almy and Brown, or some others by them ap¬ 
pointed, in the full and perfect knowledge of the use of the machinery 
and the art of water-spinning. 

“And it is further agreed, that the said Samuel, as a full and ade¬ 
quate compensation for his whole time and services, both while in con¬ 
structing and making the machinery, and in conducting and executing 
the spinning, and preparing to spin on the same, after every expense 


484 


WEBSTER. 


arising from the business is defrayed, including the usual commissions of 
two and a half per cent, for purchasing the stock, and four per cent, for 
disposing of the yarn, shall receive one half of the profits, which shall 
be ascertained by settlement from time to time, as occasion may require; 
and the said Almy and Brown the other half; the said Almy and Brown 
to be employed in the purchasing of the stock and disposing of the 
yarn. 

“ And it is further covenanted, that this indenture shall make void 
and supersede other articles of agreement between the said Almy and 
Brown and the said Slater, and that it shall be considered to commence, 
and the conditions mentioned in it be binding upon the parties from the 
beginning of the business; the said Samuel to be at the expense of his 
own time and board from thenceforward. 

“And it is also agreed that if the said Almy and Brown choose to put 
an apprentice to the business, tjiat they have liberty to do so. The ex¬ 
penses arising from the maintenance of whom, and the advantages 
derived from their services during the time the said Almy and Brown 
may think proper to continue them in the business, shall be equally borne 
and received as is above provided for the expense and profits of the 
business. It is also to be understood, that whatever is advanced by the 
said Almy and Brown, either for the said Slater, or to carry on his part 
of the business, is to be repaid them with interest thereon, for which 
purpose they are to receive all tlie yarn that may be made, the one half 
of which on their own account, and the other half they are to receive 
and dispose of on account of the said Slater, the net proceeds of which 
they are to credit him, towards their advance, and stocking his part of 
the works, so that the business may go forward. 

‘ ‘ In witness whereof, the parties to these presents have interchange¬ 
ably set their hands this fifth day of the fourth month, seventeen hun¬ 
dred and ninety. 

“Witness: 

“Oziel Wilkinson, “ WM. ALMY, 

“Abraham Wilkinson. “SMITH BROWN. 

“SAMUEL SLATER.” 

It took nearly one year for Mr. Slater to complete the 
machines according to the foregoing agreement. 

The following letter (being a part of one written by Moses 
Brown to John Dexter, of the Beverly cotton-mill) will show 
nearly the time when Mr. Slater begun spinning yarn from 
cotton at Pawtucket; the hrst spun by water-power in 
America: 


WEBSTER. 


485 


“Providence, 19th of 4th month, 1791. 

“My son-in-law, William Almy, has handed me three sizes of cotton 
yarn ; a lay of each I inclose for your inspection. Almy & Brown, who 
conduct the business of cotton manufactory, with an English workman 
from Arkwright’s works (have often fourteen laborers of the various 
mechanics necessary), completed the water-spinning machines to the 
perfection as to make the inclosed yarn, the former mule which I had 
purchased, made from the State’s model at Bridgewater, proving not to 
answer. The weavers inform me the yarn works better (Slater’s yarn) 
than any linen they have had, and takes less trouble to warp and 
weave it. 

1 ‘ As the doubling and twisting mill, by water, is not as yet ready, 
Almy & Brown have had a number of pieces of thicksets and fancy goods, 
made of single warps, which appear much superior to any linen warps. 

“ The two coarsest inclosed answer this purpose; the finest would 
answer for cords, velvets, etc., when doubled and twisted. If you 
should incline to try some warps, they can supply you with almost any 
size, weekly, monthly, or quarterly; that of about twelve skeins to the 
pound at 6d. per skein of 1,200 yards. 

“ Coarser or finer will vary some. As we find that warps can not be 
made equally as good on jennies, and apprehending that you wish to 
perfect the cotton manufacture, so as to preclude foreign manufacture, 
induces us to make the offer of supplying you in preference to any other 
works. 

“Thy or the company’s answer will be attended to by Almy & Brown, 
and thy friend, 

“MOSES BROWN. 

“P. S.—To be communicated to the proprietors of Beverly Factory. 

Mr. Slater possessed none of the traits of character of the 
cockneys or ordinary English mechanics, or operatives, that 
usually find their way to this country. 

While he had the most entire confidence in his skill and 
ability, he was modest in his deportment and cautious ; weigh¬ 
ing well the import of his promises and assertions, taking care 


* The Beverly Cotton Manufacturing Company was incorporated, February 3, 1»789, the first 
incorporated company, it is believed, in the United States, for the manufacture of either 
cotton or wool. The corporators were: John Cabot, George Cabot, Deborah Cabot, Andrew 
Cabot, Moses Brown, of Providence, Joshua Fisher, Israel Thorndike, James Leonard, 
Thomas Somers, Isaac Chapman, and Henry Higginson, to be named “ The Proprietors of the 
Beverly Cotton Manufactory;” with a capital of £10,000 in real estate, and £80,000 personal 
estate. 




486 


WEBSTER. 


to excite no expectations that he could not bring to a full real¬ 
ization. 

Thus when he had labored long and brought his machinery 
nearly to the point of moving and producing yarn from cot¬ 
ton of the perfection of that made in England upon the cele¬ 
brated Arkwright machinery, agreeably to what he had prom¬ 
ised, there was some slight defect that prevented the machin¬ 
ery from moving to accomplish the expected result. 

To remedy this, he studied and examined all its parts, and 
yet for a time the machinery could not be moved. This unex¬ 
pected state of things gave him intense pain, mentally; he 
knew he had acted honestly, and should he not succeed he had 
a dread of the idea of being thought an impostor, which would 
be likely to be imputed to him; but fortunately, after sleeping 
over the difficulty, his mind was directed to a trifling part of 
the machinery which before had escaped his attention. This 
being placed in order the best and most perfect results that he 
had promised now followed. His mind was relieved, and to 
the great satisfaction of sill parties concerned, yarn equal to 
that promised was produced. Some of the yarn which Mr. 
Slater first spun, and some cotton cloth, the first made in 
America from his yarn, was sent to the Secretary of the 
United States to be preserved in the Treasury department, 
the 15th of October, 1791, and was preserved there many 
years, and may possibly remain there at this time. 

Previous to the arrival of Samuel Slater in this country, in 
1789, there had been introduced into the United States, at 
Providence, New York, Beverly, Worcester, and Bridgewater, 
jennies, billies, and cards for spinning cotton into yarn; these 
machines were of English invention, probably by James 
Hargraves, or perhaps Thomas Highs, or Lewis, Paul who 
preceded Sir Bichard Arkwright; but these machines were of 
such an imperfect character as to preclude any valuable or 
profitable use of them, and it began to be regarded as doubt- 


WEBSTER. 


487 


ful by many as to the ability of our people competing in this 
manufacture, unless much greater improvement could be made 
in machinery adapted to the business. 

Such was the state of the business when Mr. Slater first 
appeared in this £eld of enterprise, in the United States. 

The remarks of the Hon. Tristam Burgess, of Rhode Island, 
on this subject, at a subsequent period, are appropriate in this 
connection : 

“ A circumstance worthy of the attention of the whole nation, and 
worthy also of a fair page in her history, is the art and mystery of mak¬ 
ing cloth with machinery moved by water-power. This was introduced 
into Rhode Island, and commenced in Pawtucket, four miles from Prov¬ 
idence, about the same time that the American system was established 
by the Impost law of July 4, 1789. Samuel Slater, an English mechanic 
of the first order of mental ability, brought this invention to Pawtucket. 
He could not bring out from England, models, drafts, or specifications. 
The whole art was treasured in his own mind; that alone, which 
could not be rummaged and pillaged by any custom-house officers. He, 
on his arrival, addressed himself to Oziel Wilkinson and sons.” 

This is a mistake, as Mr. Slater (as has before been stated) 
addressed himself first to Moses Brown (a man remarkable 
for his ability and energy, and also for his ardent feeling and 
enterprise, in favor of introducing this branch of manufacture 
into the United States), and his son-in-law, William Almy, 
and his nephew, Smith Brown; but through the mechanical 
skill of Oziel Wilkinson and his sons, Mr. Slater, no doubt, 
derived much aid; and it is well known that when he es¬ 
tablished himself at Pawtucket he found his lodgings and 
board in this Mr. Wilkinson’s family, and soon after married 
his daughter, which will be more particulary referred to in 
another place ; which alliance, with a mutual taste and labors 
in this line, formed a close intimacy and a strong and lasting 
friendship between Mr. Slater and this family. 

“They (the Wilkinsons) were blacksmiths, whose hands were as skill¬ 
ful as their minds were intelligent and persevering. I have often thought 


48S 


WEBSTER. 


Divine Providence directed Slater, and brought him to lay his project 
before the Wilkinsons, because he had not fitted any other men in this 
country with minds and abilities, either to see, and at once to compre¬ 
hend the immense benefit of it, or to understand and perform what must 
be understood and performed, to bring this scheme into full and perfect 
operation. 

•‘The law of July 4, 1789, was enacted by the almost unanimous voice 
of the whole nation. By this law the great scheme was commenced. 

“The law of protection, enacted in 1816, was equally national; men 
from the east, the north, the south, and the west, equally supported the 
measure. The bill was laid before the house by the lamented Lowndes, 
of South Carolina. It was advocated, in every stage of its progress, by 
another distinguished individual of the same State (John C. Calhoun). 
When it passed the house, Hall and Lumpkin, of Georgia, Canon and 
Powell, of Tennessee, Barret and Barbour, of Virginia, voted in favor of 
its passage. So far as the bill related to the cotton trade it was enacted 
with the sole view to the protection of that great and increasing in¬ 
terest. 

‘ ‘ It was then known and acknowledged, though it seems now to be 
forgotten, that this law for the protection of the cotton trade was 
founded on a most able, luminous, and statesmanlike report, made to 
that Congress by the chairman of the committee on commerce, another 
distinguished gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Newton.”* 


* The following are the dates and character of the several tariffs enacted by the Congress 
of the United States : 

No. 1, July 4, 1789. Specific and ad valorem rates. The ad valorem from 5 to 15 per cent. 

No. 2, August 10, 1790. Specific and ad valorem rates. The ad valorem range 3 to 15% per 
cent., entitled, “ An Act Making Further Provision for the Payment of the Debts of the Uni¬ 
ted StatesThe free list very small. 

No. 3, March 3, 1791. This act only affected spirits paying specific duties. 

No. 4, May 2, 1792. Specific and ad valorem rates; latter from 7 y 2 to 15 per cent. This 
act was for raising a sum of money to protect the frontiers and other purposes. 

No. 5, June 7, 1794. Specific and ad valorem; latter from 10 to 20 per cent. The purpose 
for raising additional duties. 

No. 6, January 29, 1795. This additional act affected but few articles. Specific 5, and 
ad valorem 10 to 20 per cent. 

No. 7, March 3, 1797. This act affected but few articles. Specific 10, and the ad valorem 
15 per cent. 

No. 8, July 8, 1797. This act was duties on salt, 20 cts. per bushel. 

No. 9, May 13, 1800. This act applied to few articles. Specific and ad valorem, the lat¬ 
ter 12}£ per cent. 

No. 10, March 26, 1804. This was an addition of duties of 2>£per cent, ad valorem, called 
the “ Mediterranean Fund,” to pay expense of the war against the Barbary powers. 

No. 11, March 27, 1804. This was specific altogether, and for collecting light money on 
foreign vessels. 

No. 12, July 1, 1812. This act was for war purposes (called the “ Last British War),” im¬ 
posing double duties upon all goods, wares, and merchandise from all countries. Vote, was 
in house, 76 yeas, 48 nays; senate, 20 yeas, 9 nays. 

No. 13, July 29, 1813. This act levied 20 cts. per bushel of 56 pounds on salt; it also 



WEBSTER. 


489 


The first spinning-frame built by Mr. Slater, at Pawtucket, 
bad but 24 spindles, but be added soon after 48 more, besides 
two carding-machines, and drawing and roping-macliines, 
making a complete preparation for spinning. 


granted a bounty on pickled fish exported, and allowances to vessels employed in the fish¬ 
eries; this is the first act favoring fishermen and the fisheries. 

No. 14, February 15, 1816. This act continued the act No. 12, imposing double duties of 
July 4, 1812; Continued until June 30, 1817, and after that time until a new law shall be en¬ 
acted. This act did not take effect, being superseded by the act, April 27,1816. 

No. 15, April 27, 1816. Specific, minimum, and ad valorem, the latter ranging from 7K to 
30 per cent. The whole tariff system was now remodeled. The minimum feature now for 
the first time was introduced and applied to cotton cloths of a certain description, and on 
cotton twist, yarn, and thread. This was the first tariff adopted as a protective act. Vote 
in house, 88 to 54 against; vote in senate, 25 to 7 against. 

No. 16, April 20, 1818. This act only referred to seven articles paying specific duties. 

No. 17, April 20, 1818. This act affected duties only on 13 articles. 

No. 18, March 3, 1819. This act related only to wines, fixing rate of duty 20 cts. and 25 
cts. a gallon. 

No. 19, May 22, 1824. This was an amendatory act, changing the whole system of duties 
on imports. It consisted of specifics, advalorems, compounds, and minimums; in addition 
to cotton yarn and cloth, and thread, the minimum system extended to Leghorn hats and 
bonnets; hats or bonnets of straw, chip, or grass; the ad valorem ranged from'12 to 50 
per cent. The anti-tariff feeling now commenced in the cotton States. 

No. 20, May 19, 1828 This act changed the rates of duties named therein—specific, ad va¬ 
lorem, compound, and minimums, and extended the latter to the manufactures of wool, 
which was divided into four classes: 1st. Not exceeding in value 50 cts.. shall be deemed to 
cost 50 cts. 2d. Goods exceeding 50 cts. and not over $1.00, shall be deemed to cost $1.00. 
3d. Those exceeding $1.00, and not exceeding $2.50, shall be deemed to cost $2.50. 4th. 
That shall exceed $2.50, and not exceed $4.00, shall be deemed to cost $4.00, and thereon to 
pay a duty of 45 per cent.; and wool was taxed 4 cts. per pound; 40 cts. ad valorem for one 
year, 45 for two years, and, thereafter, 50 per cent in addition. The votes were, house, 105 
to 94 nays; the votes were, senate, 26 to 21 nays. The sentiment among members of the 
same State in all parts of the Union differed; some favored and others opposed. 

No. 21, May 24 # 1828. This referred to wines, the duties ranging from 10 cts. to 50 cts. 
per gallon. 

No. 22, May 20, 1830. This act reduced the duties on coffee, tea, and cocoa, these rates 
being specific. 

No. 23, May 29, 1830. This act reduced rates on molasses to 5 cts. per gallon, and allowed 
duties as drawbacks on spirits distilled from foreign materials. 

No. 24, May 29,1830. This act applied to salt, reducing duties to 15 cts. for 56 pounds. 

No. 25, July 13, 1832. This act applied to French wines, to carry out a treaty concluded 
July 4, 1831. Duties, specific. 

No. 26, July 14, 1832. This act was to alter and amend several acts imposing duties on 
imports. The free list was made larger, and many articles were subjected to a compound 
duty, specific and ad valorem; the latter ranging from 5 to 50 percent., and the mini¬ 
mums now only applied to cotton cloths, twist, yarns, and thread. 

No. 27, March 2, 1833. This act affected but few articles, relating to hardware, copper, 
and brass, seven articles. 

No. 28, March 2, 1833. This was an act, entitled, “An Act to Modify the Act of July 
14, 1832, and All Other Acts Imposing Duties on Imports.” commonly known as “Henry 
Clay’s Compromise Act.” The object was to make a gradual reduction of duties to a hori¬ 
zontal base of 20 per cent., ad valorem standard. This was the effect of the Nulification 









490 


WEBSTER. 


He spun both warp and filling on the same frames (then 
styled the “Water Frames,” or the “Arkwright Patent”), up 
to 1803. His manufacturing at this time and for several years 


attempt of South Carolina, made by Mr. Clay for pacification. A gradual reduction of 
all duties in excess of 20 per cent, was as follows: One tenth of such excess, December 
31, 1833; one tenth, December 31, 1835; one tenth, December 31, 1837; and another tenth, 
December 31, 1839; and then half of the remaining excess over 20 per cent., December 31, 
1841; and the balance of such excess, December 31,1842, which now left only one uniform 
tariff of duties of 20 per cent. This act for a time terminated the jealousy of the South, 
until it was revived again by the agitation of the slavery question. 

The influence of the South now prevailed in Congress, and with a design to humble the 
North, by depressing its industrial pursuits, as the following act will show. 

No. 29, September 11, 1841. This act related somewhat to drawbacks, but also fixed the 
range of duties on many articles at only 12>£ per cent., soap at 20 per cent., and ex¬ 
tended largely the free list; the whole act, as might have been expected, was regarded 
in England with great favor, striking a severe blow to American manufactures. It was 
passed by the influence of the South as a retaliation for the high tariffs of 1828 and 1832. 

A reaction in public sentiment was created by the sluggish state of all kinds of indus¬ 
trial affairs, and a partial return to the system of encouragement to American industry 
was now effected as follows: 

No. 30, August 30, 1842. Establishing again specific, minimum, compound, and ad valo¬ 
rem duties, the latter ranging from 1 to 50 per cent. 

No. 31, July 30, 1846. This act gives ad valorem duties exclusively, for the first time 
ranging from 5 to 100 per cent., and was the result of the Southern influence. 

No. 32, March 3, 1857. This act also adopted the exclusive ad valorem plan, and reduced 
duties ranging from 4 to 30 per cent., and also extended largely the free list; this was 
about the last legislative act carried by the South as a retaliatory measure designed as 
an offset to Northern interference with the slave institution. 

No. 33, an act which took effect, April 1, 1861, favored manufactures; it embraced several 
principles—ad valorem, specific, compound, etc., exhibiting the influence of Northern minds, 
having originated at the point when culminated the strife for power in the government 
between the North and South. 

This was a contest between slavery and freedom, or slave labor and free labor. The 
South, failing to secure a predominance in the government by the failure to elect their 
choice for chief magistrate, resorted to the force of arms, and by the result the power of 
the North was greatly strengthened. 

The changes in the tariff since have been mainly governed by the necessities of the 
country and not by sectional interests, however much they favor the interest of manu¬ 
factures. 

Although the question of free and slave labor has been definitely closed, yet not so the 
question of labor with that of capital. 

The tendency at the present time is to bring into opposition those who produce from the 
soil and those of the manufacturing interest. At present this latter question appears at the 
West and South, to be uniting under the name of “Grangers,” for the purpose, as set forth, 
to oppose railroad monopoly; but the under current is tending against the tariff system as a 
source of protection to the manufacturing interest. 

Incidental protection to manufactures is unavoidable, so long as our national debt con¬ 
tinues at its present magnitude, and it must be much reduced before any considerable 
change in our present tariff can be made; still, the tendency of the time is to raise a new 
issue of a local character, which will be likely to create sectional animosity between the 
West and North. The tendency to railroad monopoly is a serious evil, and will no doubt 
command the especial attention of all political parties; but this, so far as relates to 
fares for passengers, will not be so essential as affecting the great producing interest. 



WEBSTER. 


491 


later was confined to the spinning of yarns; all the cloth 
wo's en at this period was by families, a process long existing 
as a necessity for preparing clothing for domestic purposes. 

As the yarns accumulated on his hands, Mr. Slater availed 
himself at a later period of this family process, making cloth 
by hand-loom, which was about the time he erected his works 
at this place. This mode was soon superseded by the inven¬ 
tion and introduction of the power-loom, operated by water, 
introduced into the United States by the Waltham Manufac¬ 
turing Company, in the year 1814, but did not generally pre¬ 
vail until eight or ten years later. 

Up to 1798 he operated the first old mill, at Pawtucket, in 
company with William Almy and Smith Brown; but through 
his connection with the family of Oziel Wilkinson, whose 
daughter he married, October 2, 1791, he introduced into his 
cotton business Timothy Green and William Wilkinson, who 
had married his wife’s sisters, and his father-in-law, who 
formed a new company in this business, and erected the second 
cotton-mill at Pawtucket, on the east side of the river, Mr. 
Slater furnishing one half of the capital. 

The AVilkinson family possessed a natural genius for the 
science of mechanics, and at the time Mr. Slater made his 
acquaintance with them, the elder (Oziel Wilkinson) was a 
blacksmith; but having an inventive mind, he had introduced 
the manufacture of steel from iron, known as blister steel, and 


As that the high rates of freight which may prove a severe burden in making exchanges 
between the sea-board and the interior, will continue to be a source of ill-feeling between 
the Eastern and Western sections of the country, and particularly for the reason that the 
capital engaged in that great enterprise is owned mostly at the East. 

On reflecting upon this subject, with a view to a remedy for reducing the cost of trans¬ 
portation, the idea has been suggested that roads should be constructed exclusively for the 
transport of products to and from the interior to the sea-board, with double tracks, to be 
free for the use of any and all parties at a very moderate rate of toll to run upon them. 
These roads to be operated only at a speed of eight to ten miles the hour, which would be a 
great saving of expense of repairs to the roads, and also in the cost of running trains. Such 
roads should be owned by the general government; and were the repairs of such roads to 
be exclusively at the expense of the government it would save tolls, and greatly reduce cost 
of transportation. 




492 


WEBSTER. 


through his knowledge and the skill of his sons he derived 
much aid. His family consisted of three daughters, married 
as aforesaid, and five sons—David, Daniel, Isaac, Abraham, and 
Smith Wilkinson—all engaged in the business of cotton manu¬ 
facture. 

Oziel Wilkinson, his two sons-in-law, before named, and his 
five sons, with James Christie and William Rhodes, united, 
in 1806, and formed the Pawtucket Manufacturing Company, 
on the Quinebaug, at the place then known as “ Cargill’s Mills.” 
They bought here, in 1806, about 1,000 acres of land, and 
invested, in the two following years, sixty thousand dollars. 

At the time of the commencement of the British war in 1812, 
Mr. Slater had arrived at a degree of success in the cotton 
manufacture, that enabled him to reap great advantage from 
the high price of fabrics, consequent upon closing the markets 
of the country against European goods. 

He had previously (in 1806) invited his brother, John, to 
come to this country, who came and united with him and his 
partners, Brown & Almy, and erected the cotton-mill at 
Smithfield in the years 1806 and 1807, each having one fourth 
interest. 

It has been seen by the foregoing purchases of the farm 
lands and water-power by Mr. Slater at Webster, and his ad¬ 
vancement here in both the wool and cotton manufacture, his 
perception regarding the future result was ample. He fore¬ 
saw that a rapid advance of population would follow: conse¬ 
quently as rapid an advance in the surrounding lands ; further¬ 
more, it enabled him to control the principal affairs of the 
place, and to prevent any intrusion upon his plans. 

As has before been stated, one object in establishing mills 
in this interior was to introduce his yarn for weaving into 
cloth. While at Pawtucket his manufacture was principally 
yarn for sale, but now his plan was to produce cloth. The 
process for effecting this was to consign his yarn to country 


WEBSTER. 


493 


traders, and they to introduce the same among the wives and 
daughters of farmers and mechanics, to be woven into cloth. 

This plan was successful; it was deemed a favor by the 
female department of families to obtain this yarn for weaving, 
as it enabled them to earn the means to pay the merchants for 
their necessary supplies. Each merchant distributed these 
yarns over a tract of six to ten miles from his store. The 
usual price paid for taking away the yarn and returning 
it in cloth was 4 cents per yard for f yard wide plain 
cloth; 6 cents for 4-4th wide do; 6 cents for f wide stripes; 8 
cents for f wide plaids; 10 cents for f wide bed-ticks; and 
12£ cents for 4-4th wide do. This business continued from 
about 1812 to 1823. 

The power-loom introduced in 1814, as before stated, did 
not supersede the hand-loom in this connection until about ten 
years later. But the carding, spinning, and weaving in families 
for domestic purposes was not displaced by the power-loom 
for many years after factories had ceased to employ the hand- 
loom for weaving their yarns. 

The weaving of woolen yarn, by the manufacturers of wool 
cloth, by the hand-loom was continued till about 1823, when 
it was generally abandoned by substituting the power-loom 
for weaving these fabrics. 

The persons employed by manufacturers for weaving woolen 
cloth by the hand-loom were generally English operatives, who, 
as a class, were ignorant about all things but their trade of 
weaving, and much inclined to intemperance, which introduced 
a class of population about each establishment no ways credit¬ 
able to morals or respectable society. When the power-loom 
was introduced this class regarded it as an infringement upon 
their rights, and in many instances their opposition caused a 
serious disturbance of the peace. 

This disturbance was but another example of what is some¬ 
times called “ Conservatism,” All progress is but change from 
34 


494 


WEBSTER. 


past usefulness to new or better theories or principles, and is 
generally the product of that which is most valuable either in 
science or art. 

It is worthy of remark in connection with an historical 
sketch of the life and labors of Samuel Slater, that a remark¬ 
able coincidence exists between the time of his coming to 
America, to found the system of manufacturing of cotton wool 
by machinery propelled by water-power, and the perfecting of 
the mode of culture of the cotton-plant, its commencement as 
an article of export as an American product, and the invention 
of the cotton-gin by Eli Whitney. 

The date of Mr. Slater’s coming to America is nearly iden¬ 
tical with the first exports of raw cotton as an American prod¬ 
uct, and not till about that time had the process for cultivating 
the cotton-plant been so successful as to make it an object to 
continue its growth to any considerable extent, nor could that 
cultivation have ever been largely increased as a profitable 
source of industry without the invention of the machine by 
Eli Whitney, or one of a similar character, to fit and prepare 
the cotton at little expense so as to admit of its extensive use 
for manufacture or export. 

Thus it is clearly seen that it was by these contemporane¬ 
ous results that the product from the cotton-plant has become 
a vast source of wealth and industry; not alone applicable to 
those who cultivate the soil, but to those who toil or invest in 
manufacturing establishments, for converting this fibrous ma¬ 
terial into many valuable forms of both elegance and utility, 
and to those “ who go down to the sea in ships,” dotting every 
ocean and inlet with the universal emblems of commerce. 

There were some small lots of cotton cultivated in South 
Carolina which appear among her exports as early as the year 
1748, and some in 1754, and again in 1770 ; but the perma¬ 
nent establishment of the culture of cotton in this country was 
not until about 1787, from which period may be traced the 


WEBSTER. 


495 


continuous and rapid increase of this staple, as a product of 
the Southern States of this Union. 

While the year 1791 may be taken as the date for the com¬ 
mencement of the manufacture of cotton under the present 
system for the operation of machinery by water-power; the 
year 1793 is given as the date of Mr. Whitney’s invention of 
the cotton-gin. 

Thus within a period of six years the grand practical prin¬ 
ciples were established, that brought into existence in the 
United States the vast industrial pursuits, the production, 
manufacture, and commerce, resulting from the cotton busi¬ 
ness. 

Samuel Slater was born in the town of Belper, in the county 
of Derby, June 9, 1768, and entered upon his service with 
Jedediah Strutt, June 28, 1782, about the age of fourteen 
years. 

Eli Whitney was born at Westborough, Worcester county, 
Massachusetts, December 8, 1765. He presented his petition 
for a patent of his invention the 20th of June, 1793—Mr. 
Jefferson, then the Secretary of State, and the seat of gov¬ 
ernment being at this time at Philadelphia—but the patent 
was not obtained until several months later. 

He was a graduate of Yale college in 1792,. married Hen¬ 
rietta, daughter of Pierpont Edwards, 1817, and died, Janu¬ 
ary 3, 1825. Two daughters and a son survived him. 

Samuel Slater was not only the founder of the cotton man¬ 
ufacture in this country, but, unlike many who are able to dis¬ 
cover a principle, or to introduce an important discovery or 
invention, yet often are not competent to conduct the business 
or principle to a practical and successful issue, he possessed those 
qualities, and a persistency of purpose that enabled him to take 
the lead in the manufacturing business of the country, and 
to sustain this reputation by actual results, up to the time 
of his death, which, as before related, occurred in 1835. 


496 


WEBSTER. 


But in the midst of this high state of prosperity he had great 
misfortune and grief, in the loss of his beloved wife, in 1812, 
then in the 37th year of her age. 

The children by this marriage, which was solemnized the 
2d of October, 1791, were as follows : 


William Slater, born, 

Elizabeth Slater, ‘ ‘ 

Mary Slater, ‘ ‘ 

Samuel Slater, ‘ ‘ 

George Bassett Slater, “ 
John Slater, “ 

Horatio N. Slater, u 
William Slater, “ 

Thomas Graham Slater, ‘ ‘ 


August 31, 1796; 
November 15, 1798; 
September 28, 1801; 
September 18, 1802; 
February 12, 1804; 
May 23, 1805; 
March 5, 1808; 
October 15, 1809; 
September 19, 1812; 


died, January 31, 1801 
“ November 4, 1801 
“ August 19, 1803 
“ July 14, 1821 

“ November 15, 1843 
“ January 23, 1838 

“ September 1825 
“ 1844 


Mrs. Slater (Hannah Wilkinson) died soon after the birth 
of her last child. After about five years Mr. Slater married 
his second wife, Esther Parkinson, of Philadelphia; the 
ceremony was performed by Rev. Joseph Pilmore, rector ol 
St. Paul’s church in that city. 

She was the widow of Robert Parkinson, who had been an 
acquaintance of Mr. Slater many years, and this lady had 
known his former wife, who esteemed her very highly. The 
following is Mr. Slater’s letter proposing this marriage: 


“ North Providence, Rhode Island, September 23, 1817. 

‘ ‘ Mrs. Robert Parkinson , Widow , Philadelphia : 

Dear Madam— As the Wise Disposer of all Events has seen fit in His 
wisdom to place you and me in a single state, notwithstanding, none of 
his decrees have gone forth which compels either of us to remain in a 
state of widowhood. 

“Therefore, under these and other circumstances, I now take the 
liberty to address you on a* momentous subject. I have been inclined 
for some time past to change my situation in life, and have at times 
named you to my brother and sister for a partner, who have invariably 
recommended you as suitable, and have fully acquiesced with my ideas 
on the subject. Now, if you are under no obligations to any one, and 
weighing the subject fully, you should think that you can spend the 
remainder of your days with me, I hope you will not feel reluctant in 


WEBSTER. 


497 


writing me soon to that effect. You need not be abashed in any degree 
to express your mind on this business, for I trust years have taught me 
to receive your reply favorably, if my understanding has not. I have 
six sons to comfort you with; the eldest is about fifteen years; he has 
been at Oxford about a year (not Oxford in England); the youngest is 
in his sixth year; I believe they are all compos mentis , and they are as 
active as any six boys, although they are mine. Cousin Mary is now 
down from Ludlow on a visit; she has a noble corpulent son about six 
months old. I should have divulged my intentions to you months past 
had not my brother given me to understand that he expected you daily 
on this way on a visit. 

“ Probably you may consider me rather blunt in this business; hope 
you will attribute that to the country that gave me birth. I consider 
myself a plain, candid Englishman, and hope and trust you will be 
candid enough to write me a short answer, at least, whether it be in the 
affirmative or negative; and should it be in the negative, I stand ready 
and willing to render you all the advice and assistance in my power 
relative to settling your worldly matters. 

‘ ‘ With due respect, as a friend and countryman, I am, dear madam, 
your well-wisher, 

“SAMUEL SLATER. 

“ N. B.—Hope you are a Freemason as respects secrets.” 

Mr. Slater, in this letter, exhibits his character very truth¬ 
fully. He says, very truly : 

“ I consider myself a plain, candid Englishman.” 

He was frank and direct in his letters, and in his actions, 
naturally benevolent and kind of heart, and particularly to 
his countrymen, to whom he was always ready to give good 
advice, and often pecuniary aid. His disbursements in this 
way were free from ostentation, and often in private, and 
generally with words of kindness and encouragement. 

It is proper to remark further respecting the manufacturing 
interest in this town, that, as heretofore, it having been the 
chief source of growth and prosperity, there has never been a 
time when that business was so extensively carried on as now ; 
and it is believed under the entire control and ownership of 
Samuel Slater & Sons, by which style the business has been 
conducted since, as before Mr. Samuel Slater’s decease in 1835. 


498 


WEBSTER. 


The product of these mills, both cotton and wool manufac¬ 
tures, it is understood, exceeds annually over three millions of 
dollars. And while the firm buys all its raw material and at¬ 
tends exclusively to every department of the productive 
power, they have their own warehouse in New York, where 
they dispose of all these various manufactures. There is 
one chief head, Horatio N. Slater, Esq., who directs all and 
keeps a close and careful supervision of every department of 
this complicated but nicely diversified system of business. By 
passing through the various parts of this establishment, any 
person accustomed to seeing and managing business methodi¬ 
cally will readily discover that great exactness prevails in all 
its parts, and so wonderfully adjusted, that the numerous parts 
shall combine, with that perfection which shall produce com¬ 
plete results in the most economical manner. 

The design is to produce goods of the best and most perfect 
quality of the description intended to be made, and in that re¬ 
spect they have so well succeeded, that their manufactures 
have a known reputation as such in every market of the 
country, enabling them to dispose of their product with great 
facility and at remunerating values. 

From the commencement of the cotton manufacture by the 
founder of this branch of domestic industry, the policy has 
been nothing for show, but all for utility ; thus you witness no 
vast piles of brick and mortar and elegant displays of archi¬ 
tecture, but plain works suitably adapted to produce the best 
results in the business there to be conducted. Such has here¬ 
tofore been and is now the character of this immense estab¬ 
lishment. 

There are three grand compartments in this business—as 
conducted—known as the east, the south, and the north 
villages. 

The east is the place of residence formerly of Mr. Samuel 
Slater, and now of Horatio N. Slater, Esq. It was here that 


WEBSTER. 


499 


Mr. Slater, through Mr. Bela Tiffany, as before stated, began 
his first operations, which, during the past sixty years, have 
increased to their present magnitude, and since radiated and 
produced the other villages, as before described. 

As before remarked, when Mr. Slater made here his first 
purchases, it was but the outskirts of three towns—Oxford, 
Dudley, and Thompson; and, as Mr. Tiffany wrote in his let¬ 
ter to Mr. Slater, when he made his first visit for examination, 
with a view to establish the cotton business here, “ The prin¬ 
cipal objection is, in my opinion, that it is the most benighted 
part of the globe.” 

All that was then to be seen (in 1811) was a few small 
farms, which were but poorly managed, and a grist-mill, saw¬ 
mill, and blacksmith shop, as the extent of the improvements 
of this water-power, and that only to a very moderate 
, extent. 

As then seen, all the territory in the vicinity evinced a poor 
quality of soil, and very rocky, giving a barren and unpro¬ 
ductive appearance. In most instances the original growth of 
the forests had been cut off, leaving a scattered and unsightly 
undergrowth, all betokening unthriftiness and general lack of 
enterprise. But to the present beholder a wonderful change 
has come over all the former dilapidated state of this region. 
Much of the change respecting the general face of the lands 
has taken place within the last ten or fifteen years. Now, 
instead of the unsightly and repelling aspect formerly ex¬ 
hibited, everything connected with the farm lands of this 
firm, and that includes all the territory surrounding the three 
villages and the intermediate vicinity, constituting several 
thousand acres of ground, all is found in a high state of cul¬ 
tivation, exhibiting good taste in all the arrangements. In¬ 
stead of the small lots into which this vicinity had been divided 
by unsightly walls, piled promiscuously to dispose of the 
superabundance of stone that covered these grounds, may be 


500 


WEBSTER. 


seen vast lawns, or meadows, where grass is grown for sup¬ 
plying hay for an extensive herd of cattle of superior breed. 

In the rear of Mr. Slater’s residence, which he styles his 
back-door yard, is one hundred acres or more of highly-culti¬ 
vated ground, coming up to the rear of his house, with the 
back-door opening immediately upon the same. This is beau¬ 
tifully diversified by undulations, presenting to the eye, as far as 
it can reach, in a west and north-westerly direction, gentle slopes 
and valleys of the most charming and delightful character. 
This is one vast mowing-field, with here and there a barn to 
be seen in the distance, located on the sides of the hills, where 
the loads of hay driven upon the high part of the surrounding 
grounds can be easily transferred to the spacious compart¬ 
ments of the barn below, to be removed in the seasons when 
required to the stock barns in another part, distinct from these 
depositories in the fields. The object of the separate location 
of these hay depositories, is not only for convenience in 
rapidly storing hay, in the haymaking season, but to guard 
against loss by fire. 

There is not only good taste and an adaptation for economi¬ 
cal management, but a completeness of arrangement for con¬ 
ducting the business of this large tract of land, and providing 
for this large herd of cattle, which consists of about 100 
of the breed known as the short-horn Durham ; of which 
about eighty are cows, with several yoke of fine oxen, and 
four or five excellent specimens of bulls. 

All, it was noticed, were in fine flesh, large and well-pro¬ 
portioned, indicating the best attention for their welfare. 

The large and commodious buildings used for stabling these 
animals and preparing their feed is a place worthy of the at¬ 
tention of all stock farmers. Here also may be witnessed both 
convenience of arrangement and economy, in the preparation 
and distribution of feed to the different classes of this large 
herd, where all is done in the best manner and without waste 


WEBSTER. 


501 


of material used. The mode for feeding is what is styled cut 
feed, hay being cut fine, and then mixed with corn-meal, boiled 
and made into mush in large kettles set for that purpose, 
where, between the quantity of cut hay on one side and the 
mush-kettles on the other, an oblong box is run upon an iron 
railway track a few feet below, to admit of an easy and con¬ 
venient deposit of this prepared feed therein, which box is then 
run over the railway to the stalls of the herd, and fed to the 
right and left, with much dispatch, into cribs before each sepa¬ 
rate animal. 

This large herd of cows is a wise provision for the supply of 
the best of milk to the numerous operatives that labor in the 
mills of the three villages, and the laborers connected with the 
farm and dairy establishment. 

Another provision for the numerous dependents, who look 
to this firm for sustenance, is their large variety stores, where 
all descriptions of merchandise are provided that is required, 
either for clothing, food, or convenience, of good quality, and 
at fair prices; these supplies are kept in each of the villages, 
although the chief depot is at the south village, from which 
the east and north villages receive their share. 

There seems nothing wanting in all the detail of arrange¬ 
ments by this firm for forming a completeness, whether in 
their system of manufacture, their farming, or the conveniences 
that accommodate all engaged in their behalf. 

Mr. Horatio N. Slater labored many years and expended 
much capital for bringing railroad accommodation to his mills, 
which undertaking was accomplished in 1866 by a branch of 
the Boston, Hartford, and Erie road, which continues from 
this place across the rising ground, westerly, to the valley of 
the Quinebaug, and thence along the margin of that river to 
its termination at Southbridge. 

The Norwich and Worcester railroad passes a short distance 
west of the Slaters’ villages, passing through a part of the 


502 


WEBSTER. 


north and south villages before named; but the depot of that 
road, near the margin of the French river, about half a 
mile from the south village, and located on land away from 
the Slater territory, has caused the principal village of the 
town to grow up in that vicinity. 

This has been produced, as has been understood, partly 
from the aversion of this firm to part with any of their lands, 
with the view of keeping their large operations under their 
control, and free from intrusion from the ordinary town busi¬ 
ness affairs. 

As now located, their three villages are isolated from the 
town village, where there is a remarkable quietness, consider¬ 
ing the vast and diversified business here conducted. 

In the midst of this large establishment no disturbing ele¬ 
ment appears, and the whole in the perfection of its manage¬ 
ment may be likened to one large and well-conducted family, 
where the head is not only respected but regarded with attach¬ 
ment and pride, as the patriarch and father. 

For whatever is needed this head is the resort; the religious 
societies receive largely their support from this source, as also 
the schools and many charitable objects. 


ECCLESIASTICAL, 


CHAPTER II. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

rpHIS church and society had its origin in the Baptist 
Church of Dudley. Its organization as a regular relig¬ 
ious body took place in a school-house in the eastern part of 
Dudley, October 26, 1814. 

There having been a desire among a number of persons in 
this vicinity, who were members of other churches, to form a 
church at this place, an ecclesiastical council met at the 
request of the church in Thompson, and the church in Sutton, 
on Wednesday, the day above given ; and having heard the 
facts as given by the parties interested, decided to recognize 
them as a church, in union with this denomination. 

The following churches were fully represented in the council 
held on this occasion, as follows: Rev. P. Crosby, of Thomp¬ 
son ; Rev. William Bentley, of Worcester; Rev. James Boo¬ 
mer, of Charlton; Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, of Sturbridge; Rev. 
James Grow, of Pomfret; and Rev. Luther Goddard. Brethren 
Jeremy P. Tolman and John Walker were invited to seats in 
the council. * 

Rev. Mr. Bentley was chosen moderator, and Rev. Z. L. 
Leonard, scribe. The sermon was preached by Rev. James 
Grow, from Ephesians, iv, 16 , and the hand of fellowship was 



504 


WEBSTER. 


given by Mr. Bentley. The following is a list of the members 
at this time, as presented to this council: 

Smith Arnold, John Baker, Stephen Bartlet, Junior, Stephen 
Bracket, Thomas Brown, Esek Brown, Nathan Cody, Natha¬ 
niel Crosby, David Freeman, Michael Hill, Liberty Ide, Wil¬ 
liam Learned, John Learned, Eliakim Robinson, John Stock- 
well, John Stone, Gardner Stone, Tubal Wakefield, Aaron 
Wakefield, Joel Wakefield, Simeon Wakefield, Luther Whit¬ 
man, William W. Webster, Nathan Wood, Luther Wood, 
Lucy Arnold, Lucina Bartlet, Catherine Bartlet, Fanny Brac¬ 
ket, Phebe Brown, Jerusha Bracket, Sally M. Crosby, Dolly 
Freeman, Tamar Freeman, Araminda Freeman, Rosella Green¬ 
wood, Mary B. Hill, Abigail Humphrey, Lavina Ide, Abigail 
Learned, Sibyl Moore, Anna Robinson, Ruth Stone, Sarah 
Wakefield, Betsey Wakefield, Mehitable Wakefield, Mary 
Whitmore, Lucinda Wood, Charlotte Wood, Eunice Wood, 
Adamira Wood, and Betsey Wright. In all twenty-seven 
males and twenty-eight females. 

The school-house in which this organization occurred had 
been then but recently built, and it stood where Mr. Jonathan 
Eddy’s dwelling-house now stands. It was erected with a view 
to accommodate the holding of religious meetings, as there 
was no meeting-house in this vicinity; but there had re¬ 
cently been erected the first cotton and woolen factories in 
this neighborhood, which gave an impulse to business gener- 
ally in this locality, and was the beginning of that progress 
which had made this town one of the first, in point of popula¬ 
tion, manufacturing, and mechanical industry in Worcester 
south district. 

For a time this school-house was jointly occupied by three 
denominations—Baptists, Methodists, and Universalists. 

On November 8, 1814, this church elected Mr. Stephen 
Bartlet and Mr. Nathaniel Crosby, deacons; but they did 
not accept the office until the 16th of July, 1815. In the 


WEBSTER. 


505 


year following, Mr. Crosby removed to Pomfret, New York, 
and was dismissed to the Baptist church there. Mr. Esek 
Brown, who had been a deacon of the church of Sutton, 
removed to this place, and on the 15th of June, 1815, about 
eight months after the organization, was invited to serve as 
their pastor. 

The ordination was as follows: The school-house in which 
they then worshipped was deemed insufficient for the people 
expected to be present, and a spacious tent was built by Mr. 
Augustus Eddy for the occasion. 

At this time Bev. Samuel Waters was elected moderator of 
the council, and Bev. Zenas L. Leonard as scribe. The fol¬ 
lowing were the ceremonies: Sermon by Bev. Z. L. Leonard, 
of Sturbridge; ordaining prayer by Bev. James Grow, of 
Pomfret; charge by Bev. Samuel Waters, of Sutton; right- 
hand of fellowship by Bev. William Bentley, of Worcester; 
concluding prayer by Bev. Isaac Dwinell, of Ward. The 
sermon on this occasion was referred to in the Baptist Maga¬ 
zine at that time, as able, appropriate, and animating. 

Bev. Mr. Brown’s ministry here continued about three 
years and three months; he left in September, 1818, to be¬ 
come pastor of the Baptist church in Lebanon, Connecticut, 
where it is believed he remained until his decease. 

During Bev. Mr. Brown’s pastorate, six united with the 
church by baptism, and seven by letter, and two died ; leaving 
the membership, at this time, 61. This church now remained 
destitute of a pastor seven years and four months. 

The first pastor left for the reason that his services were not 
sufficiently paid to give a proper support to himself and family. 

The first supply of this pulpit after Mr. Brown was by Bev. 
Louis T. Seaman, of Thompson, who labored here about two 
years with much acceptance and success; he at this time 
had not received ordination. In the first year of his service 
seven were baptized, and the following year twenty-six. 


506 


WEBSTER. 


In connection with him, Elders Nichols and Ross supplied 
the desk. Rev. Mr. Seaman left this church enjoying great 
prosperity. 

He was succeeded by Mr. Robert Wilson, who had recently 
left the Methodist church to unite with this; but he exhibited 
but little of the ability and spirit of the man who preceded 
him. He supplied here but a few months when he left in an 
unbecoming manner, and lost his Christian character by acts 
of immorality and indiscretion, much to the regret of the 
friends of religion. This church for a time was now without 
a supply. About four years after Mr. Seaman left,he returned 
again to this church, but found its prosperity departed. He 
died, and was buried at Thompson, Connecticut. During his 
absence he had been ordained and settled over the Baptist 
church in De Ruyter, New York. 

The records of the church and society, from 1820 to 1825, 
are very imperfect. Rev. Luther Goddard, of Worcester, 
supplied here about the year 1821, a portion of the time, and 
occasional supplies were rendered by other ministers, whose 
names are not preserved on the records. In June, 1820, 
Willard Howland was elected deacon in place of Deacon 
Crosby, who had left the place. 

In April, 1824, Deacon Stephen Bartlet died. He was an 
exemplary and pious man, and a severe loss to the society. 

In 1825 a vigorous effort was made to raise funds for erect¬ 
ing a meeting-house for the better accommodation of the 
society, which was successful. The present house of worship 
was the result; it was finished in the autumn of 1826, and 
dedicated on the 26th of December following. Rev. Jonathan 
Going, of Worcester, preached the sermon on the occasion, 
taking for the subject of the discourse the baptism of the 
eunuch by Philip, recorded in the eighth chapter of the Acts 
of the Apostles. 

The church had now become anxious to settle a pastor. The 


WEBSTER. 


507 


Rev. John B. Ballard, of Masonville, New York, was invited 
and accepted. 

He entered upon his labors in December, 1825, about a 
year before they commenced worship in their meeting-house. 
He continued here about two years and three months, 
closing his ministry in the spring of 1828. 

During the period of the Rev. Mr. Ballou’s ministrations, 
he, baptized eighteen persons who were received into this 
church. In the spring of 1827 he formed the first Sabbath- 
school in this vicinity. 

The young people of the parish were much attached to him, 
and deeply regretted his leaving; but the older and more 
active part of the society thought a change would be for the 
best. He died in the city of New York, January 29, 1856. 
An obituary in the Christian Secretary gave the following : 

“ He was born in Dudley, October 25, 1799; experienced religion at 
seventeen years of age; entered Hamilton Theological Institute, New York, 
in 1820, with those eminent missionaries of the East, Wade and Kincaid; 
was ordained pastor of the church at Masonville, New York, November 
13, 1823, and came to Dudley, as before stated, and was settled over 
this church in 1825. 

‘ ‘ He was settled for a time at Bloomfield, Connecticut; for thirteen 
years was engaged as agent of the American Sunday school Union, and 
established Sunday schools in a large part of the towns in the States of 
Kentucky and North Carolina. 

“ After this he spent a few years at Colchester, Connecticut, with his 
family, and occasionally supplied destitute churches while recruiting his 
health; and finally engaged in the service of the Tract Society as mis¬ 
sionary in the city of New York, where he died as above stated.” 

Mr. Emmons, of Brown university, now took the place of 
Mr. Ballard as supply for a few weeks; be was followed by 
Rev. Joshua Eveleth, who began his pastorate in the summer 
of 1828. 

His health soon failed, and he resigned his office after only 
a few T months’ service. 

His labors were highly acceptable to this society during his 


508 


WEBSTER. 


short ministry. There were received by him six members into 
the church by baptism. He removed from here to Worcester, 
where he died in the winter of 1829. 

Rev. Isaac Merriam supplied the pulpit during the winter 
following Rev. Mr. Eveleth. 

After Mr. Merriam there were transient supplies until the 
settlement, as pastor, of the Rev. Hubbel Loomis, in August, 

1829. Mr. Loomis had been a Congregational minister twenty- 
four years over a church in Willington, Connecticut. Having 
changed his religious sentiments to that of the Baptists, he 
became the minister of a Baptist church in that town, then 
recently formed, and continued in its service until he was 
called to this church. 

He remained with this society not quite a year, but during 
that period received into the church, by baptism, twenty-seven 
members. 

Mr. Loomis has the credit of being instrumental in estab¬ 
lishing the first temperance society in this place. 

He removed from here to the Western States. In 1832 he 
founded the Alton Theological seminary, and continued his 
efforts in its behalf until it was changed to the name of Shurt- 
leff college, in January, 1836. Soon after, his health failing, 
he retired to private life, and resided in Upper Alton, Illinois. 

Mr. Loomis was succeeded here by Rev. Thomas Barrett, 
who began supplying this pulpit the third Sabbath in April, 

1830, and on the 3d of July following received an invitation 
to become its pastor. 

He was ordained, August 25, 1830, while the Sturbridge 
Association was in session in this place; Rev. Addison 
Barker, of Southbridge, gave the right hand of fellowship, 
and Rev. Jonathan Going delivered the address to the church 
and people. 

The Sturbridge Association met here again in August, 1831, 
at which time there was in progress a revival of religion, and 


WEBSTER. 


509 


the association of ministers present, feeling an interest in this 
religious excitement, joined zealously with this society in its 
encouragement, for two days, with an interesting result. The 
church became more active in its duties. During the ministry 
of Dev. Mr. Barrett, which continued about two years and 
five months, he received into the church sixty-three members 
by baptism. He was an eminently pious and effective 
preacher. His memory remained fragrant in the minds of 
the older members of this church many years. 

Through a season of despondency his mind became much 
disordered, which led him to take his own life, August 7, # 
1832. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Addison 
Parker. 

He was a native of Belchertown, in this State, and came to 
this town, first, in the capacity of agent of the Massachusetts 
Baptist State convention. He had previously been pastor in 
Grafton Centre, Sharon, and Agawam, and died in the fortieth 
year of his age. 

At the close of Rev. Mr. Barrett’s ministry this church had 
141 members. 

The Rev. Abial Fisher was his successor ; he received a call 
from this church the 2d of December, 1832. 

This part of Dudley, together with a part of Oxford, hav¬ 
ing been incorporated a separate town, in the year 1832, this 
church now took the name of the Baptist church in Webster, 
that being the corporate name of the town. 

Rev. Mr. Fisher, having accepted the call to the ministry, 
was installed on the 12th of the same month, with the follow¬ 
ing services : 

Reading of Scripture and introductory prayer by Rev. John 
Paine, of Ward; sermon by Rev. Jonathan Aldrich, of Bev¬ 
erly ; installation prayer by Rev. James Grow, of Thompson, 
Connecticut; charge to the church and people by Rev. J. G. 
Binney, of West Boylston; right hand of fellowship by 
35 


510 


WEBSTER. 


Rev. J. Aldrich; concluding prayer by Rev. Moses Harrington, 
of Sutton. 

Mr. Fisher’s pastorate was short, only about one and a half 
years. Through his influence, it is said, the remaining debt 
upon their meeting-house was fully paid, besides paying $200 
in aid of the Worcester county high school, at Worcester. 

Rev. Abial Fisher, D. D., was born in Putney, Vermont, 
June 19, 1787. He was baptized in Danville, Vermont, De¬ 
cember 5, 1806. In 1811 he was admitted into the senior 
class of Burlington university, and graduated the following 
year. He studied theology under Rev. Nathaniel Kendrick, 
of Middlebury, Vermont, and received a license to preach, 
June 18, 1813. In January, 1816, he was ordained as the 
pastor of the Baptist church in Bellingham, Massachusetts, 
where he served twelve years. In September, 1828, he re¬ 
moved to West Boylston, and served the church there about 
three years. Afterwards preached for the church in Stur- 
bridge, and this town, as above stated, then at Pawtucket, 
Rhode Island, Swansea, Massachusetts, and Sutton. 

His health failing, his advanced age induced him to retire 
from the ministry, the remainder of his days were spent at 
West Boylston. He died, March 26, 1862, aged 74 years, 9 
months, and 7 days. 

Rev. James Grow, of Thompson, Connecticut, followed 
Mr. Fisher in the ministry here, and labored from 1st of 
April, 1834, one year, then returned to Thompson, and con¬ 
tinued his ministry several years, and died there, March 17, 
1859, at the age of 90 years. 

The pulpit was now supplied several months by William R. 
Collier, a licentiate from Boston ; a supply was now continued 
mostly by young men from Newton Theological Institute, and 
by occasional ministrations from Rev. Myron M. Dean. 

At the close of the year 1835 this church numbered 110 
members. 


WEBSTER. 


511 


The church gave a call on the 7th of August, 1836, to 
Mr. Loomis G. Leonard, a member of the Baptist church, Wil- 
lington, Connecticut, and recent graduate of Newton Theologi¬ 
cal Institute, to become their pastor. He accepted, and was 
ordained, September 7, following, with the usual services. 

Beading of Scripture by Bev. John Paine, of Ward ; intro¬ 
ductory prayer by Bev. John Green, of Leicester ; sermon by 
Bev. J. G. Binney, ot Southbridge; ordaining prayer by 
Bev. James Grow, of Thompson, Connecticut; charge to the 
candidate by Bev. Jonathan Aldrich, of Worcester; right 
hand of fellowship by Bev. Isaac Merriam, of Sturbridge; 
address to the church and people, by Bev. Bela Hicks, of 
Thompson, Connecticut; concluding prayer by Bev. John 
Walker, of Sutton. 

This church and society flourished under the pastorate of 
this young minister, and increased in members, both in the 
church and parish ; but experienced a severe draft upon its 
numbers by the organization of the Congregational church 
and society, which occurred, June 13, 1838. Up to this time 
most of this denomination worshipped with the Baptist society. 

Those persons who withdrew had joined in the Sabbath 
school and other associations of this society, and the relations 
had been mutually pleasant, which caused the separation to be 
sensibly felt. But in a few years this loss was restored by 
others who united, of the same denomination. 

In 1841 the society reconstructed the interior of the meet¬ 
ing-house, but a portion of the expense was borne by the 
liberality of the manufacturing companies in this town. 
Mr. George B. Slater took much interest in the improve¬ 
ment of this house, and acted as one of the committee on 
reconstruction. 

On the 3d of March, 1843, Bev. Mr. Leonard asked for a 
dismission, much to the regret of the church and society. 

The church unanimously requested a withdrawal of this 


512 


WEBSTER. 


request, but being insisted upon, it was granted much against 
their desire. He at once became the pastor of the Baptist 
church in Thompson, Connecticut; and was subsequently 
settled over the second Baptist church, Hew London, Connec¬ 
ticut. Several years afterwards he removed to Ohio, and 
was pastor of the churches at Zanesville, Marietta, and Leba¬ 
non, in that State, with much success. 

During his ministry here of six years and seven months, 
eighty-four persons were added to this church by baptism 
and fifty-seven by letter, leaving the whole membership at the 
close of his pastorate one hundred and seventy. 

The Bev. John Felch Burbank, who graduated at Newton 
Theological Institute in 1840, and who had been pastor of the 
Baptist church, Taunton, Massachusetts, was now invited to 
accept the charge of this church, and signified his assent, April 
6, 1843 ; he continued in the ministry here three years and 
five months, ending September 1, 1846, when he resigned and 
removed to Worcester. At the close of this pastorate the 
membership of the church had declined to one hundred and 
fifteen. 

In August, 1843, soon after Mr. Burbank began his minis¬ 
try, this church transferred its relations from the Sturbridge 
to the Worcester association. 

Mr. Burbank, after leaving Webster, never again took upon 
himself the pastoral office, but until the close of his life sup¬ 
plied occasionally vacant pulpits in the vicinity of Worcester. 

He died suddenly in that city on the 22d of November, 
1853, aged forty-two years. 

Bev. Lyman Jewett was Mr. Leonard’s successor. He re¬ 
ceived his license from the Federal-Street church, Boston, and 
was a graduate of Newton Theological Institute. He began his 
service here on the first Sabbath in November, 1847, and on 
the 1st day of the following March was unanimously invited 
by the church to serve one year. He accepted, and continued 


WEBSTER. 


513 


liis ministry until July, 1848. His labors were successful, 
although he had never been ordained. While he labored here 
thirteen persons were added by baptism, and twenty-six by 
letter. Total membership in the church at the close of his 
ministry, 139. 

He had previous to his coming here engaged with the 
Baptist Missionary Union to serve as a missionary, and now 
tultilled that contract by embarking for India to serve as a 
missionary among the Teloogoos, with whom he labored 
thirteen years, when he returned with his family to his native 
land, and has since been employed in sustaining the missionary 
cause in this country. 

The church begun at once to secure a successor, but failed 
until the 25th of March, 1849, when Rev. Joseph Thayer, of 
South Sutton was invited and accepted in April following. 

Mr. Thayer was engaged to supply the pulpit for one year. 

At the close of this service, his health failing, he declined 
to continue his ministry, much to the regret of the church and 
society, as his efforts had added to the congregation increased 
numbers, and given entire satisfaction as a faithful minister. 

Subsequently Mr. Thayer regained his health and united 
with the Free Will Baptists, and for some years supplied the 
pulpit of the church of that faith in Mendon, Massachusetts. 

He then removed to Minnesota, where he was preaching 
when last heard from. 

The number of members at the close of his ministry was 

122 . 

On Sunday, April 7, 1850, the church gave a unanimous 
call to Rev. Frederic Charlton, of Plainfield, Connecticut. 
He accepted on the 11th of April following. 

Mr. Charlton labored with this people for three years with 
general acceptance, and was dismissed at his request the last 
Sabbath in March, 1853. 

He removed to Wilmington, Delaware, and served success- 


514 


WEBSTER. 


fully with the second Baptist church there; many were added 
to the church and society, and during his ministry they were 
enabled to erect a new house of worship. After this, he en¬ 
gaged for a time in the service of the American Baptist 
Publication Society, and then removed to California, where, 
when last heard from, he was pastor of the Baptist church in 
Sacramento City. 

The membership of the church for a time continued to de¬ 
cline; at the close of this last pastorate it was reduced to 102. 

This church now invited the Rev. George W. Dorrance, of 
Sturbridge, to supply the pulpit on the first Sabbath in April 
following, with a view to a settlement. After preaching three 
Sabbaths he received a call to become their pastor, and gave 
his acceptance on the 24th of same month. 

He labored here faithfully two years, and was dismissed at 
his request. 

During his ministry there was a continued decrease in the 
members of the church ; two were added by baptism, and six¬ 
teen by letter, but the removals and deaths reduced the mem¬ 
bership to ninety. 

Mr. Dorrance had served several years as chaplain in the 
United States navy. On the 19tli of November, 1853, Dea¬ 
con Willard Howland died, aged seventy-five years. He had 
been an esteemed member of the church thirty-three years, 
and in the early part of this time held the office of deacon 
eleven years. 

This church was now supplied with transient preaching for 
about a year, when Mr. J. L. A. Fish, of Newton Theological In¬ 
stitute, received a call, March 30,1856, which he accepted, and 
began at once to supply the pulpit. He was ordained, July 2 
following, with the order of service as here given : Reading of 
the Scriptures, by Rev. S. C. Kendall, of the Congregational 
church of Webster; prayer, by Rev. M. Mathewson, of 
Thompson, Connecticut; sermon, by Rev. J. G. Warren, of 


WEBSTER. 


515 


Boston; ordaining prayer, by Bev. J. B. Boomer, of Worces¬ 
ter ; charge, by Bev. S. S. Parker, of Southbridge ; right hand 
of fellowship, by Bev. D. F. Faunce, of Worcester; address 
to the church and society, by Bev. Charles Willett, of Put¬ 
nam, Connecticut; closing prayer, by Bev. J. E. Wood, of the 
Methodist church, Webster. 

On the 6th of December, 1856, Mr. Prince Bracket, hav¬ 
ing returned to Webster after an absence of several years 
at Sturbridge, was again elected deacon. And on the 5th 
of April, 1860, Deacon Solomon Bobinson, having served 
the church as its treasurer, and for thirty years as clerk, 
resigned both of these offices. He, however, consented to 
continue in the position of treasurer; while the office of clerk 
was filled by Mr. Bichard E. Hoah. 

Mr. Fish resigned the pastorate here the last Sabbath in 
June, 1863, much to the regret of this church. Ilis labors 
continued through a period of seven years and three months; 
during this time there were added to the church, by baptism, 
38; by letter, 30; and, aside from all losses, the number of 
members had increased to 127. 

In the autumn of 1863 Mr. Fish was called to the charge 
of the Baptist church in East Tisbury. 

This church now gave a call to Bev. Charles W. Beding; 
he entered upon his service here on the 1st of October, 1863, 
and still continued his labors with success when last heard 
from. 

This writer is indebted for the greater part of the foregoing 
sketch of the history of this church and society, to an historical 
discourse delivered by the pastor, Bev. Charles W. Beding, 
October SO, 1864, it being the fiftieth anniversary of its 
organization. 

For many years this was the only church organization in 
this vicinity, and what is now the town of Webster. 

The order of services on this occasion were as follows: 


516 


WEBSTER. 


Saturday, October 29, 1864. 

First, an opening prayer and a brief address of welcome to 
the brethren and sisters from abroad, by the pastor. This was 
followed by remarks from the Rev. Tubal Wakefield, one of 
the only two persons living who belonged to the original 
organization, and remarks by several of the older brethren, 
who related facts and incidents connected with different periods 
of the church. To the senior officer, Deacon Robinson, they 
were greatly indebted for much interest given to these services. 
These parties spoke from full hearts of the merciful dealings 
of God with this people during the past half century. Special 
mention was made of the frequent and powerful revivals in 
this society. All seemed to feel that it was pleasant and profit¬ 
able to recall to mind these past favors of Divine grace. 

The services were continued through Saturday evening pre¬ 
paratory for the exercises on the Sabbath following. At this 
meeting were read letters from the following brethren once 
pastors of this church: Rev. L. G. Leonard, D. D., Leba¬ 
non, Ohio; Rev. Lyman Jewett, Grand Rapids, Michigan; 
Rev. J. L. A. Fish, Holmes’ Hole, Massachusetts; also, from 
Rev. H. B. Cook, Greenville, who was once a member, and 
from Rev. Hervey Fitts, who has always manifested a deep 
interest in this church and society. 

Sabbath Evening, October 30, 1864. 

Rev. Tubal Wakefield led in the devotional services; after 
which, the historical discourse was preached by the pastor, 
Rev. Mr. Reding, to a crowded congregation. The delivery 
oecupied one hour and a quarter, and was heard by the 
audience with great satisfaction to its close. 

The hymns on this occasion were those sung at the ordina¬ 
tion of the first pastor, viz., 720 and 1146 of the Psalmist, and 
hymn 92, book 1, of Watts’, in the tunes of the former period 
—the style of singing fifty years ago—making the whole service 
of great interest to all present, and long to be remembered. 


WEBSTER. 


517 


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WEBSTER. 

This religions denomination was first established here in the 
year 1823, in September, when the Rev. Elias Marble was 
their first preacher ; he continued his labors with this people 
two years. His successors have been as follows : 


John W. Hardy, for 

1825. 

John W. Chase, 

44 

1826. 

Hem an Perry, 

44 

1827. 

George Southerland, 

u 

1828. 

Isaac Bonny, 

u 

1829. 

John Lovejoy, 

4 4 

1830. 

0. Robbins, 

44 

1831. 

Peter Sabin, 

44 

1832. 

Isaac Jenison, 

4 4 

1833. 

Ira M. Bidwell, 

44 

1834. 

Jonathan Cady, 

t 4 

1835. 

Isaac Stoddard, 

4 4 

1836-’37. 

Joseph A. Merrill, 

44 

1838-’39. 

Isaac Sanbourn, 

44 

1840. 

Abraham D. Merrill, 

44 

1841-’42. 

Leonard B. Griffin, 

44 

1843-’44. 

Mark Staple, 

4 4 

1845-’46. 

Charles S. McRedding, 

4 4 

► 

1847-’48. 

Joseph W. Lewis, 

44 

1849-’50. 

D. E. Chapin, 

4 4 

1851-’52. 

Union Ward, 

44 

1853-’54. 

Samuel Tupper, 

44 

1855—’56. 

Jeremiah S. Haniford, 

44 

1857-58. 

Abraham S. Dobbs, 

4 4 

1859. 

Pliney Wood, 

4 4 

1859. 

Joseph C. Cormack, 

44 

1862. 

Cyrus L. Eastman, 

44 

1863-’64. 

James W. Murray, 

44 

1865. 

Edward S. Best, 

4 4 

1866-67. 

Abraham 0. Hamilton, 

4 4 

1868-’70. 


Their first meeting-house was erected in 1828, and dedica¬ 
ted in June, 1829. Their second, built in 1833, and dedicated, 
January 14, 1834; and their third house was erected in 1866, 
and dedicated, September 12, 1867. 


518 


WEBSTER. 


This church, it is believed, has been prosperous, and has 
secured, as parishioners, its full share of the population of this 
town; but the particulars as to church members and general 
success have not been received. 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WEBSTER. 

The first service of this church and society was held in the 
evening, in the town-hall, at East Webster, July 18, 1869; it 
being the eighth Sunday after Trinity. 

Service by the Rev. William Henry Brooks, D. D., rector 
of Grace church, Oxford. 

Rev. Dr. Brooks continued to officiate in Webster, one 
service on each Sabbath, until the 1st of October following. 

Under an invitation given him, September 27, 1869, he 
devoted his whole time to the ministry of this church from 
October 1st to April 1, 1870, and held two services on each 
Sabbath. 

This church, not having any meeting-house of their own, 
held their services in such places, up to January 3, 1871, as 
could be conveniently obtained. These services have been 
held as follows: Their second service was held in Webster 
hall, depot village, in the evening of July 25, 1869; third 
service in the Methodist church, depot village, August 15, 
1869; and on the 22d and 29th, same month, service was held 
in the Congregational church, depot village. From that time 
to Saturday, January 22, 1870, services were held in the 
town-hall, until that building was destroyed by fire. 

A parish was formed here, January 3, 1870, with the name 
of the “ Church of the Reconciliation.” 

January 23,1870, service was held in the Webster hall, and 
on the 30th service was held in the Good Templar’s hall, 
depot village, and continued to be held there until April 10, 
1870, the Sunday before Easter, when service was held in 
the Congregational chapel, depot village, and was continued 


WEBSTER. 


519 


there until the church edifice of the society was occupied for 
public worship. 

CHURCH EDIFICE. 

Monday, July 18, 1870, it being the first anniversary of the 
first service in the parish, the corner-stone of the Church of the 
Reconciliation, Webster, was laid, in the absence of the bishop 
of the diocese, by the rector, Rev. William Henry Brooks, D.D. 
The form of prayer used on that occasion was the one set 
forth for use in the diocese by the present bishop, copies of 
which, in very neat pamphlet form, were distributed among 
the audience. The book had on the third page a list of the 
officers of the parish. 

A procession composed of the Sunday school, parishioners, 
citizens, visitors, choirs of the parish, and clergy, marched 
from the house of Samuel Slater, Esq., the junior warden, to 
the place where the church was to'be erected ; in the pro¬ 
cession were borne the national flag, and a beautiful banner of 
white, on the front of which were suitable devices, and 
in gold letters the name, “Reconciliation;” and on the 
reverse was the date, in blue, shaded with vermilion, “ July 
18, A. D., 1869.” Above the canvas fly, which was spread 
over the corner-stone to protect the clergy, choirs, and many 
others from the burning sun, was the name of the parish, 
and the date of its first service in ivy-leaf letters, with white 
roses in Gothic style, mounted on a white ground. 

The 122d Rsalm, “ Lactatus Sum,” was repeated alternately, 
the rector one verse, and the clergy and people another. The 
exhortation, collects, and Lord’s prayer were said by the ven¬ 
erable Rev. E. M. T. Wells, D. D., of St. Stephen’s house, 
Boston. 

A lesson, Ezra hi, 1-11, strikingly applicable, was read by 
Rev. Wm. R. Huntington, of All Saints, Worcester. 

The following deposits put in a lead box were inserted in 


520 


WEBSTER. 


the granite corner-stone; the list of articles being publicly 
read by the rector, 

“Holy Bible; Book of Common Prayer; Churchman’s Year Book for 
1870; Journal of the 79tli Convention of the Diocese of Massachusetts; 
Manuscript Historical Sketch of the Parish prepared by the Rector; 
Office used at the Laying of the Corner-Stone; List of the Officers of the 
Parish; Blank Form of the Music in the Service of the Parish; Christian 
Witness and Church Advocate, for April 14, Maj 17, and May 26, 1870; 
Churchman, April 2, 1870; Church Journal, June 8, 1870; Webster Times, 
June 18, 1870; Report of Town Officers of Webster, for 1869-’70; Re 
port of School Committee of Webster, for 1869-’70; Worcester Daily 
Spy, July 16, 1870; Boston Morning Journal, July 16, 1870; Specimens 
of Fractional Currency.” 

The corner-stone having been lowered (by the contractor 
and builder, Mr. Benjamin Watkins, of Webster), into its 
proper place, the rector, striking the stone three times with a 
mason’s hammer (a blow at the pronouncing of the name of 
each person in the Holy and Undivided Trinity), said : 

“ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, 
Amen. I lay the corner-stone of an edifice to be here reared by the 
name of ‘The Church of the Reconciliation,’ and to be devoted to the 
service of Almighty God, agreeably to the principles of the Protestant 
Episcopal church, in the United States of America, in the doctrines, 
ministry, liturgy, rights, and usages.” 

The prayer, 

“ Blessed be Thy name, O Lord, that it hath pleased Thee to put into 
the hearts of Thy servants to commence the erection of a building in which 
Thy Holy Name is to be worshipped, and the message of reconciliation is 
to be proclaimed, and the means of grace are to be administered,” etc., 

was said by the Rev. Thomas L. Randolph, of St. John’s, 
Wilkinson ville. 

The address, which was able and appropriate, was delivered 
by the Rev. Wm. N. Ackley, rector elect of Trinity, of New¬ 
town, Connecticut. 

The 470th hymn, 

“O Lord of hosts, whose glory fills,” etc., 


WEBSTER. 


521 


was announced by the Rev. Samuel N. Spear, in charge of 
the new church enterprise in Fiskedale, and was sung to the 
tune of “ Eisenach.” 

The services were concluded by the Rev. James W. Clark, 
of St. Philip’s, Putnam, Connecticut, who read the appointed 
collects, and pronounced the blessing of peace. 

Then followed the most impressive episode in the events of 
the day. The alms-basins having been placed on the corner¬ 
stone by the rector, the parishioners came forward and de¬ 
posited in them their free-will offerings, in sealed envelopes, 
to the church building fund, ranging from ten cents upwards, 
making in the aggregate the noble sum of four thousand six 
hundred and nineteen dollars and ten cents. 

The singing by the choirs of the declaration of David, 
“ All things come of thee, O Lord, and of thine own have we 
given thee,” after the gifts offered so willingly had been 
received, was as beautiful in melody as the words are instruc¬ 
tive in their teaching. 

So impressive were the services, that although the heat was 
intense, the interest of the large assembly continued unabated 
to the last. 

The choirs, in addition to what has been described, sung 
very finely, “ Jerusalem, the Golden,” to the tune of “S. Sal- 
vatori;” the anthem, “ Laudate Romen;” and the Alleluiatic 
sequence, “ The Strain Upraise of Joy and Praise.” 

After the conclusion of the ceremonies, the reverend 
clergy, invited guests, and parishioners, by invitation, pro¬ 
ceeded to the mansion of James H. Howe, Esq., senior 
warden, where they were hospitably entertained with an 
elegant collation. 

The lot on which the church was erected was purchased for 
the parish, and generously presented to it by William S. 
Slater, Esq. 

The building committee consisted of the rector, the senior 


522 


WEBSTER. 


warden, and the donor of the lot; the architects being 
Messrs. R. & R. ITpjohn. 

The church is constructed of wood, in the (xothic style, 
with triplet windows in the chancel and over the entrance 
porch ; and in the transepts to have sittings for 300 persons, 
with provisions for easy enlargement, when desired. The 
height of the spire is fifty-two feet. 

The interior is to he finished with chestnut; its extreme length 
is seventy-seven feet; and width, forty-four feet six inches. 

By contract, this church edifice was to he finished, ready for 
occupancy, November 1, 1870. It was dedicated, January 3, 
1871. The ceremonies were under the charge of the Right 
Rev. Bishop Martin East burn. 

The Rev. William Henry Brooks was called by the church¬ 
wardens and vestrymen to the rectorship, March 19,1870, and 
gave his acceptance on the 26th following. Rev. Dr. Brooks 
was a graduate of the Theological seminary of the Protestant 
Episcopal church of Virginia, July 15, 1852 ; was ordained 
deacon, by Right Rev. William Meade, D. D., in Christ 
church, Alexandria,Virginia, July 16,1852, and ordained priest 
by the Right Rev. Alfred Lee, D. D., in St. Thomas’ church, 
Newark, Delaware, January 13, 1855. He came from the 
Episcopal church of Oxford to take charge of this church. 

t 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

This church and society was organized, June 13, 1838. 
Previous to this time the members of this congregation 
worshiped with the Baptists. 

The withdrawing and forming this separate body, was a 
serious draft upon both the society and church of that denomi¬ 
nation; also upon their Sabbath school, which required several 
years to replace. 

But both societies now are well sustained, and exhibit 
evidence, in all respects, of prosperity. 


WEBSTER. 


523 


REMARKS. 

Of the inhabitants within the territory now Webster, before 
the appearance of Mr. Slater in this field of his successful en¬ 
terprise, the most influential in the west part, bordering 
on, and in the vicinity of the French river, were a numerous 
family by the name of Wakefield, descendants of Joseph 
Wakefield, one of the early settlers of the town of Dudley. 
His son, Solomon, was a Baptist preacher, and one of the 
pioneers of that denomination, particularly in this eastern part, 
now a part of Webster. And later, at the organization of the 
Baptist church here in 1814, it will be noticed that several of 
his descendants were prominent members. They controlled 
the principal part of the water-power upon said river. Solomon 
Wakefield, had deceased, at the time of Mr. Howard’s first 
purchase here (in behalf of Samuel Slater) of his descend¬ 
ants—William, David, and Joel Wakefield, and Gibbs Dodge, 
who were the principal parties interested in this water-power 
at this time. 

But above them on this river, had been incorporated in 
the year 1812, (the same year that Mr. Slater began his 
operations in the east part), a manufacturing company before 
referred to, styled “ The Village Cotton,Wool,and Linen Manu¬ 
facturing Company,” which name was changed in theyear 1814, 
to the style of “The Village Factory Company,” as related in 
the historical sketch of Dudley. Besides the foregoing, Luther 
and Stephen Bartlet, were men of prominence in this vicinity ; 
while at the east village the most enterprising men were Elijah 
Pratt, Asa and Samuel Robinson, John and Alanson Bates, 
and several by the name of Kingsbury, all being men of 
considerable character and standing, maintaining good moral, 
social, and religious society. But, after the year 1812, the 
Village Factory Company introduced a considerable increase 
of population along the French river, by the influence of Dr. 


524 


WEBSTER. 


Benedict, Dana A. and William Braman, and Jason Waters, 
although in 1824, at the time of their sale to Slater and 
Howard, their business in manufacturing had proved unsuc¬ 
cessful, which led to the transfer of the estate to the parties 
as before related. 

WOODSTOCK ACADEMY—ADDITIONAL HISTORY. 

The first academy in Windham county was organized at 
Plainfield, in the year 1770. This institution gave a stimulus 
to the people of Woodstock to found one among themselves, 
to be equal, if not superior in all its parts. 

This spirit formed a crisis in the year 1800, when several 
prominent and noted men of the place determined to under¬ 
take the duty of procuring the necessary funds for the erection 
of a suitable building for the school. Among these persons 
most conspicuous were Rev. Eliphalet Lyman, late the pastor 
of the Congregational church here, for forty-five years; 
Colonel Samuel McClellan, who served as an officer in both 
the last French war and that of the Revolution; James and 
John McClellan, sons of the latter, and the late General 
David Holmes. 

A subscription paper was drafted, when Rev. Mr. Lyman 
headed the list by a subscription of one hundred dollars, with 
the understanding that thirty-two others should contribute as 
much, or such an amount should be subscribed ; the sum re¬ 
quired being subscribed, a building committee was appointed, 
and, during the year 1801, what is now the old academy 
structure was erected. The original proprietors were Col. 
Samuel McClellan and his two sons, James and John; Eli¬ 
phalet Lyman, William Bowen, Parker Comings, Hehemiah 
Child, Ebenezer Smith, William Potter, Hezekiah Bugbee, 
Benjamin Lyon, Ebenezer Skinner, and Amos Paine. 

Rev. Mr. Lyman officiated in laying the corner-stone. The 
date of this service has not been seen, but the dedication 


WEBSTER. 


525 


service was performed in the Congregational church, on the 
4tli of February, 1802. 

Addresses were made by John McClellan, Esq., and by 
Kev. Eliplialet Lyman. The following is a part of the address 
by Mr. McClellan: 

“The event of establishing a seminary of literature in this place, 
equal if not superior to any other which h§s hitherto been erected, must 
create sensations of pleasure to those who feel interested in the welfare 
of mankind; and as we have met on this occasion to dedicate the 
building appropriated for that purpose, it may be pleasing, and perhaps 
useful, to spend a few moments in contemplating the advantages of an 
early education. 

‘ 1 The education of children and youth is one of the highest and most 
important duties of mankind.” .... 

In closing, he said : 

“We wish to promote, as much as our means will afford, a useful 
education among the rising generation, and to bring all necessary educa¬ 
tion home to our doors. We are happy to meet and felicitate one 
another that our unanimity and exertions have produced so much, and 
that a school is now established. 

“And while we dedicate the building, and publish to the world our 
design, we doubt not but that kind friends will fully co-operate with us 
in our good intentions. 

“And we reflect with pleasure, that many may receive the benefit of 
an enlightened education here, and thereby become useful and respect¬ 
able in their generation.” 

Mr. Lyman remarked that 

“Virtue and morality were indispensable to a good education; that 
children should be taught to live a respectable and useful life; and 
that it should be the ambition of all present to be called the patrons of 
science, general knowledge, virtue, and that which tends to the support 
of the most valuable interests of the community.” 

Then, turning to the principal of the institution, he said: 

“I do, therefore, on this occasion, in the name of the trustees, and 
with the approbation of the proprietors, commit to you, Mr. Williams, 
the key of the academy, and the office of preceptor.” 

36 


526 


WEBSTER. 


The exercises closed with prayer, by Mr. Lyman, the 
pastor. 

The academy was open the 5th inst. following. 


TEACHERS. 

The names of persons yrho have been teachers in the old 
academy are as follows : 

Thomas Williams, the first teacher, is now, 1873, living at 
Providence, Rhode Island, at the age of 94; was a graduate 
of Yale college in the year 1800, and is now the oldest living 
graduate of that institution. He was preceptor only three 
months. 

At the termination of this session a charter was secured 
from the General Assembly of the State, by the efforts of 
John McClellan, Esq., as has been related in the historical 
sketch of Woodstock; this addition being there omitted for 
want of the facts since obtained. 

Hezekiah Frost, the second teacher, began on May 4, 1802, 
and continued to May 4, 1803. He was a graduate of Yale 
in 1802, and received for the year a salary of $400. He 
married Esther Clark, one of his scholars, and settled as a 
lawyer in Sayryer, Maine, where he died in 1827. 

Jason Park, then a young man, was assistant teacher, but was 
afterwards known as Rev. Jason Park, the much-respected 
pastor of the Congregational church and society at South- 
bridge, for a period of sixteen years. 

Rev. Aaron Dutton, of Gilford, also a graduate of Yale, 
was the third preceptor. His sons and grandsons have been 
distinguished men ; one is a prominent lawyer in Cincinnati; 
another has been judge and governor of this State; another a 
minister in Ashford; and still another a great revivalist 
preacher. His wife was assistant teacher. 

Seth Horton, of Framingham, a graduate of Yale of 1804, 


WEBSTER. 


527 


was the fifth preceptor. He afterwards became professor of 
languages in Hamilton college, and died in 1818. 

Phineas Lyman Tracy, a graduate of Yale, in 1806, was the 
preceptor, for the years 1806 and 1807 ; at this time Deacon 
Jedediah Morse, the grandfather of Professor S. F. B. Morse, 
wrote Rev. Benjamin Trumbull, with reference to the academy, 
saying: “ The school has generally been under the instruction 
of a preceptor recommended by the president of Yale col¬ 
lege, and has as yet received no grants, but the proprietors 
have discharged all obligations above receipts. 

The next teacher of whom anything is known was Rhinaldo 
Burleigh, who taught from 1810 to 1813. He was born in 
Ashford, and at the age of five had one of his arms cut off in a 
cider-mill. He fitted for college and graduated in 1803. He 
was a good teacher, and the school flourished under his charge. 
The exhibitions of this period were exciting events, and nu¬ 
merously attended ; the teachers and scholars forming in line 
marched to the church; after several declamations, and per¬ 
haps orations, plays were enacted by many students, male and 
female taking parts. George McClellan, afterwards the cele¬ 
brated surgeon of Philadelphia, father of General George B. 
McClellan, maintained conspicuous parts at this time. 

In 1810 the town voted to give their bonds, amounting to 
$1,206.65, to the proprietors of the academy, the interest to be 
used for continuing the schools, and admitting any ot the 
youth of the town to six weeks’ tuition annually. These 
bonds, some five years afterwards, were canceled and returned 
to the town. 

Elisha Gallup taught the summer term of 1813. 

Nathaniel Allen, a graduate of Yale college, taught the 
next winter, and had only ten scholars. Mr. Allen, Dr. Marcy, 
and Ephraim Houghton, went the next year to Harvard 
Medical school, the only students from Connecticut. 

The teachers, from the years 1814 to 1818, were Andrew 


528 


WEBSTER. 


and Archibald Burgess. They were from Canterbury, gradu¬ 
ates of Yale college; and were regarded as good teachers. 

From 1820 to 1843 there are no records; and, according to 
reports, there was but little interest felt for this institution by 
the citizens of the town. A portion of that period the school 
was abandoned. In 1822 there were two schools. Elias 
Skinner taught a school for boys, and Miss Caroline Dutch 
for girls. After this, several parties were engaged, but the 
length of time or when, does not appear. 

Among those who were here in that period, were Elihu 
Morse, Thomas Jefferson Forbes, of Maine; Nathaniel Mills, 
of Thompson; Theodore Weld, who had lived in Danielson- 
ville; and Welcome Wilmoth, of Thompson, who remained 
here three years, and was regarded a good teacher. Evans 
Malbone Johnson, taught in 1834. He was at the time 
studying for the ministry, and afterwards became an Episcopal 
clergyman. 

He established the Episcopal church at Brooklyn, Con¬ 
necticut, and there married Grace Malbone. He removed to 
Brooklyn, New York, and became rector of St. John’s Church, 
and died there, a man of wealth, a few years since. Johnson 
street, in that city, was named in his honor. 

Abraham Hazen Robinson, of Yale college, was preceptor, 
from August, 1835 to July, 1836. He afterwards studied 
medicine at Dartmouth college. It is also stated that Rev. 
Erastus Dickinson taught here, in 1833, for a time; also, Miss 
Lucy Brigham, ot Grafton, Massachusetts, taught about that 
time; and Edwin E. Bliss, now president of a college in Syria 
(who had seven brothers, all missionaries), was a teacher here. 

In 1843 the academy building was renovated and put into 
complete order by Henry C. Bowen. 

A new belfry was built, the old one becoming unsafe. The 
academy was re-opened in 1844, with John T. Averill, a 
graduate of Dartmouth, as teacher ; that autumn he had 126 


WEBSTER. 


529 


scholars. He remained four years, and was a good instructor. 
In the spring of 1844 the Hutchinson family gave a concert 
here, when the receipts were given for the benefit of the acad¬ 
emy, and resulted in the purchase of a chemical apparatus. The 
elm-trees in front of the academy were set there this year by 
the teacher and scholars. Also, the first printed catalogue was 
issued in 1844 ; it contains a wood-cut of the academy, drawn 
by Miss Maria Lyman, a granddaughter of Rev. Eliphalet 
Lyman. Mr. Alden South worth was preceptor in 1845, and 
sustained a good reputation as teacher. Elias B. Hillard 
taught here in the summer term in 1848 ; following him 
came James W. Patterson (a graduate of, and afterwards a pro¬ 
fessor in, Dartmouth college), who continued the next three 
years; Miss Edna Dean Proctor being- his assistant. Mr. 
Patterson was an excellent teacher, and increased the number 
of scholars to one hundred. Besides holding many political 
offices in Hew Hampshire, his native State, he has represented 
that State in the house of representatives at Washington, and 
is now a senator from that State in Congress. Rev. Jonathan 
Curtis, and Rev. Louis Gano, were the next teachers. The 
Rev. J. R. Davenport followed in 1851, and proved a good 
teacher. 

Then were teachers here, E. D. Rawson and his brother 
Henry; Rev. George H. Webber, professor of intellectual 
philosophy in Middlebury college; John M. Wolcott was 
preceptor in 1854-55 ; Henry C. Parker, now a lawyer in 
Worcester, Massachusetts, succeeded ; and then came Edward 
Conant, John Holmes, and J. M. Manning, a graduate of 
Brown university, who taught in 1860. 

Then after three years’ suspension came George H. Hopkins, 
another graduate of Brown university. 

.Next were John A. Corbin and Miss Rosa Palmer, who 
continued the institution for a period at their own expense, 
but were hot very successful. 


530 


WEBSTER. 


In 1868 a proposition was made to place the academy on an 
independent and permanent basis, and for that purpose to 
establish a fund, which, it is understood, has been fully accom¬ 
plished, and now exceeds $15,000. 

The teachers since have been Messrs. Burnett, Cook, and 
Davison, who have advanced the school in numbers, discipline, 
and scholarship. To-day Woodstock academy is among the 
first, in all its appointments, in the State of Connecticut. 

From the time of the first opening of this academy there 
have been 41 preceptors during a period of 21 years; 38 males 
and 3 females; and of the 38 males, 31 were college grad¬ 
uates : 14 from Yale college, 5 from Amherst, 4 from Brown, 
3 from Dartmouth, 1 from Bowdoin, and 4 unknown. 

Among the scholars of distinction who received instruction 
here, may be named, in part, Hon. William L. Marcy, gov- 
‘ernor of the State of New York, and secretary of the United 
States; Commodore Morris, of the United States navy, a 
native of this town ; General William Eaton; lieutenant- 
governor Stoddard, of this State; Dr. George McClellan, of 
Philadelphia; Dr. Samuel McClellan, his brother; Hon. 
Aaron Skinner, mayor of New Haven, one of the most popular 
mayors of that city; Judge Young, David and the Hon. Pres¬ 
cott Hall, Bev. Willard Child, D. D., Bev. Alvin Bond, D. D., 
and Louise Chandler Moulton and Edna Dean Proctor, both 
well known in literary circles; Charles E. Burleigh, the 
abolitionist and temperance advocate; and his brother, William 
H. Burleigh, the poet. The new academy was dedicated, 
Thursday, August 21, 1873. The building is stated to have 
cost $22,500. When ready to receive its fixtures and furni¬ 
ture, the funds raised for completing the building, $15,372, 
had more than been expended; and, after consultation in the 
board of trustees for devising means, under some despondency 
as to securing the necessary funds to carry out the design, to 
compare with the fine and well-adapted building, then in 


WEBSTER. 


531 


order to receive the internal preparation, suitable for opening 
the school favorably,—when Henry C. Bowen, Esq., who it ap¬ 
pears has at all times led in this affair, as well as others in 
this his native town, generously proposed to take upon him¬ 
self the expense of fitting and furnishing the building, in 
every way to compare with the structure itself and its pleasant 
surroundings. 

This furnishing consists of desks, seats, and settees of modern 
style; a valuable clock and piano; at a total cost of between 
four and five thousand dollars. 

After the conclusion of the addresses, on the occasion of the 
dedication, Henry C. Bowen arose and made some spirited 
remarks, stating that the financial affairs showed a consider¬ 
able debt, and appealed to their generosity to add to their 
past contributions, and thus relieve the same of any incum¬ 
brance. 

The result was a very liberal contribution on the spot, as 
follows : 

W. D. Carroll, $10; Joseph McClellan, $50; John Paine, $10; George 
A. Penniman, $10; Mrs. P. Skinner, $2; A. A. Carroll, $10; W. P. 
Snow, $10; E. M. Armes, $5; Asa Lyman, $20; Clara A. Armes, $5; 
A. B. Cooley, $5; Henry E. Bowen, $50; Harrison Johnson, $20; S. B. 
Collins, $500; A. B. Dyke, $100; J. F. Russell, $10; A. C. Andrews, 
$10; George Spalding, $10; Janies Collins, $10; P. N. Boutelle, $10; 
Minnie Palmer, $5; Frances M. Lyman, $10; Sarah T. Lyman, $25; D. 
T. Lyman, $50; Lewis Williams, $50; Lucius Fitts, $25; Jane C. 
Weaver, $5; cash, $8.32; Mrs. C. P. Briggs, $50; R. T. Town, $30; John 
O. Fox, $150; Hiram Dewing, $100; D. Blackmar, $20; James Gor¬ 
don, $10. 

These several subscriptions amounted to $1,420. The pre¬ 
vious subscriptions were in all $15,372, making the total build¬ 
ing fund to this date, $16,792. Showing still a debt of about 
$1,500. Considering, however, the large sums raised for the 
permanent fund, construction account, and furnishing about 
$38,000, this balance is but a small item. The whole is a 


532 


WEBSTER. 


grand result of the liberal efforts of the people of this town, 
and a good example for the community around them. 

The present instructors are 

Mr. William E. Davidson, A. B., principal; Miss Elizabeth R. Beach, 
assistant-principal; Miss M. Jennie Atwood, second assistant-principal; 
Miss Mary E. Langdon, teacher of instrumental music; Mr. J. Astor 
Broad, teacher of vocal music. 

In a letter from Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, read on this 
occasion, he gave an account of a school kept here by Thaddeus 
Mason, Esq., found among the papers of his father. It com¬ 
menced, November 10, 1729, and continued-to April 1, 1730. 
The names of his scholars were as follows: 

John Chandler, Gardiner Chandler, Mary Chandler, Esther Chand¬ 
ler, Moses Lyon, Nehemiah Lyon, Joshua May, Caleb May, Stephen May, 
Thomas May, Benjamin Sanger, John Sanger, David Holmes, Josiah 
Holmes, Caleb Johnson, Peter Johnson, Nathaniel Pay son, Asa Payson, 
Joseph Bartholomew, John Bartholomew, Samuel Bartholomew, Jede- 
diah Bartholomew, Daniel Abbot, Joseph Abbot, Nehemiah Bugbee, 
Zeruiah Bugbee, Eleanor Bugbee, Joseph Barnard, Samuel Barnard, Ebe- 
nezer Barnard, Abner Barnard, Edward Morris, Isaac Morris, Grace 
Morris, Bethiah Morris, Joshua Tucker, Benjamin Tucker, Joseph Wil¬ 
son, Jacob Wilson, Manasses Hosmer, Uriah Hosmer, Joseph Hosmer, 
Nathaniel Child, Henry Child, Benjamin Child, Jesse Carpenter, Benja¬ 
min Carpenter, Joseph Carpenter, Daniel Marscroft, Jacob Marscroft, 
Darius Sessions, Josiah Cummings, Daniel Davis, Ebenezer Smith, 
Nathaniel Henry, James Levens, Silas Bowen, Oliver Barrett, Peter 
Morse, Nathaniel Ainsworth, Isaac Hemenway, Benjamin Thayer, 
Samuel Lillie, Isaiah Tiffany, Ebenezer Phillips, Eunice Draper, and 
Nathaniel Sanger. 

In the list in manuscript, was written opposite the name of 
David Holmes, “ My Honored Father,” by Dr. Abial Holmes, 
father of O. W. Holmes. 


SUPPLEMENT. 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 

For denomination of ministers. 

B. for Baptist. 

C. for Congregationalist. 

M. for Methodist. 

U. for Universalist. 

This parish was incorporated the 28th of February, 1801. 

Its name in the act of incorporation was “ The Second Ke- 
ligious Society in the town of Charlton.” 

It is not the design here to give a history of this parish, but 
the history of the Parish Meeting-House, and as far as the 
w T riter’s researches extend, to give the names of the different 
ministers who supplied preaching in that Meeting-House during 
the sixteen years of the existence of the parish. Also to give 
some account of these several ministers, and the years in which 
they preached in that house, and where they resided, and what 
religious faith they professed to preach, as far as known. 

This list of ministers contains seventy-six names, so far as as¬ 
certained ; but it is probable there may have been some others; 
but few, if any. 

A large number of these names are given in the manuscript 
lecture delivered in Southbridge before the Lyceum Society of 
that town in March, 1836, by the late Moses Plimpton, Esq. In 
his sketch of names he gives no place of residence, and in some 
instances only the surname, and gives no account of the charac¬ 
ter of any of these parties. 

Much of Mr. Plimpton’s knowledge of these several preachers 


534 


TIIE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


was obtained from the recollection of old people of his time, and 
much, particularly, from an old lady known as Hannah Clark, re¬ 
markable for her retentive memory. She was of the Universalist 
faith, and delighted in her criticisms of the different preachers, 
and being a constant attendant on all the meetings she could not 
only give the names of the different ministers, but relate the 
texts they preached from, and the substances of the discourses. 

The men who were the most influential in obtaining the act 
of incorporation of this Poll Parish were persons of independ¬ 
ence of thought, and possessed of more than the ordinary degree 
of intelligence. 

They were no bigots, although firm in their religious faith of 
the denomination to which each belonged. 

The first object was the erection of a meeting-house for re¬ 
ligious worship in a central part of the territory most con ven¬ 
ient of access to all the inhabitants. 

As the religious faith of the people in this territory was of 
the several denominations —Congregationalists, Baptists, Meth¬ 
odists, and Universalists—it was agreed that each of these de¬ 
nominations should enjoy equal rights in this house in the 
preaching of their particular faith in proportion to the amount 
of subscription of the parties embracing such faith. 

The political action of the members of this parish was cor¬ 
rectly recorded. That book was obtained by this writer when 
writing the history of this parish as a part of his historical col¬ 
lections published in 1874. He then had these manuscript records 
rebound and deposited for safe keeping in the public library in 
Southbridge ; but so far as appears, there was no record kept of 
the religious doings of these several religious sects in connection 
with this Meeting-House. All that is now known has been 
gathered from recollection and detached items of information 
connected with these several denominations in their separate 
acts. 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


535 


These items of information show the faith of the different 
preachers, and from various historical and biographical sources 
have been obtained the character, place of residence, and inci¬ 
dents connected with these several ministers, as related in the 
following sketch : 

The contract for erecting this Meeting-House was made with 
Major William Love, then a resident of Dudley; but he soon 
after removed to this parish. The frame was raised on the 4th 
of July, 1797, and the house was not finished till early in the 
year 1800. 

For the proprietors’ names and owners of the several pews see 
u Historical Collections,” by this writer, Yol. II., pp. 233-235. 

The first religious service was on the 6th of April, 1800, by 
the Rev. Alvan Underwood, a young licentiate minister, who 
was soon after settled as pastor of the First Congregational So¬ 
ciety in West Woodstock. 

The dedication of this house to the worship of God was on 
the 4th of July following. The Rev. Erastus Learned, then the 
minister of the Congregationalist Society of Charlton, delivered 
the ordination sermon. Rev. Mr. Learned was the successor, at 
Charlton, of Rev. Archibald Campbell, the second minister of 
that town. He was ordained there Uov. 8th, 1797, and dis¬ 
missed on the 16th day of September, 1802. Then, for a time, 
supplied preaching at different places, but mostly for the Con¬ 
gregational church at Killingly, Connecticut. 

Closing his services at this latter place, he received a call and was 
installed over the Congregationalist church and society at Canter¬ 
bury in that State, and it is believed he continued the pastor for 
that people the remainder of his days as a preacher. Mr. Learned, 
in this latter place, arrived to a considerable distinction as a 
preacher. 

Sixteen years after he delivered the dedication sermon in this 
Parish Meeting-House, he was invited and assisted in the ordina- 


536 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


tion of Rev. Jason Park, the first settled Congregational minis¬ 
ter in Southbridge, and delivered the ordination sermon on that 
occasion.* 

The following are the names of the ministers as they supplied 
preaching in this Parish Meeting-House, each year, while the 
parish continued. 

For 1800, Rev. Alvan Underwood, supplied 12 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Underwood, the following year, was ordained on the 27th 
of May, pastor over the Congregational church in West Wood- 
stock, and continued there till March, 1833, when he was dis¬ 
missed. He continued as a preacher many years, and returned 
and preached for this society again in 1852 and 1853, and for a 
time supplied preaching in North Woodstock, which is all that 
has been ascertained of his history. 

Rev. Erastus Learned, of Charlton, before referred to, 2 
Sabbaths. 

Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, of Sturbridge, Baptist, 15 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Leonard began his services with the Baptist church in 
Sturbridge, in 1795, was ordained Sept. 15, 1796; he continued 
this pastorate till Oct. 13, 1832, when by failing health he re¬ 
quested, and was dismissed. He died there the 24th of June, 
1841. 

Rev. Timothy Williams, no knowledge of him, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Daniel Bromley, a noted Methodist, 2 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Bromley preached mostly in the western towns of Mas¬ 
sachusetts, and is known to have served in Bernardston, Leyden, 
Alford, and Rowe. 

5 ministers supplied preaching this year, 32 Sabbaths. 


* Rev. Jason Park was a native of Canterbury, and a member of the church and society 
of which Rev. Mr. Learned was pastor, which was the reason for his participating in Mr. 
Park’s ordination, and this was no doubt the last appearance of Mr. Learned in South- 
bridge. The other ministers who joined in these services were : Rev. Otis Lane, of Stur¬ 
bridge ; Rev. Daniel Dow, D.D., of Thompson; Rev. Eliphalet.Lyman, of Woodstock ; Rev. 
Edwards Whipple, of Charlton ; Rev. Alvan Underwood, of W. Woodstock, and Rev. 
Samuel Backus, of E. Woodstock. 





THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


537 


For 1801, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Baptist, 8 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Alvan Underwood, W. Woodstock, C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Daniel Bromley, itinerant Methodist, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Hosea Ballou, Dana, Massachusetts, U., 1 Sabbath. 

Dana was the place of Mr. Ballou’s first settlement as a 
preacher. He was ordained here in 1800. He was born at 
Richmond, N. LI., April 30, 1771; his education was by self¬ 
culture. For a time was settled at Barnard, Vermont; in 1807, 
at Portsmouth, U. II.; in 1815, was at Salem, Mass., and in 
1817, was installed over the Second Universalist society in Bos¬ 
ton, where he continued his pastorate, till his decease, June 7, 
1852, at the age of 81 years. 

Rev. Edward Turner, of Sturbridge, Universalist, 8 Sab¬ 
baths. 

He was born in Medfield, July 28, 1776; began to preach at 
the age of 22 years, was an itinerant for several years. See an 
historical sketch of Mr. Turner in Vol. II. of “Historical Col¬ 
lections,” by this writer, pp. 197-205. 

Daniel Sabin, a layman, often at this period officiating at 
devotional meetings of the Baptist order, 1 Sabbath. He had 
but little education, or method in his remarks. 

Rev. David Saunders, of Medfield Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Saunders was known to many of the descendants of the 
founders of Sturbridge. 

Rev. Elijah Brown, Sherburn, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Mr. Brown was brought here through his acquaintance 
with Dea. Daniel Morse, who was a native of Sherburn. 

Rev. Isaac Allen, of Bolton, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. William Graves, E. Woodstock, C., 1 Sabbath. 

He was settled as pastor there August 31,1791, and continued 
till his decease, August 26, 1813, aged 48. years. 

Rev. Ezra Williams, no knowledge of this person, 1 Sab- * 
bath. 


538 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


Rev. John Andrews, Newburyport, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Hubbell Loomis, Willington, Ct., C., 1 Sabbath. 

He was pastor there twenty-four years, but afterward became 
a Baptist. In 1829 was installed over the Baptist church in 
East Dudley, which place became a part of Webster in 1832. 
Mr. Loomis founded the first Sabbath-school there. He was 
dismissed in 1830, and removed to Illinois, and founded the 
Theological Seminary at Alton in that State. His health fail¬ 
ing, he removed to Upper Alton and retired to private life. 

Rev. Mr. Bisco, probably of Grafton, Mass., 2 Sabbaths. 

No definite knowledge of him; a man of that name was at 
Grafton. 

Rev. Laban Thurber, Brookfield, Mass., Baptist, 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Thaddeus Fairbanks, of Shelburn, Mass., C., 5 Sab¬ 
baths. 

Mr. Fairbanks was born in Shelburn in 1772; a graduate of 
Yale College in 1796, was a teacher of much ability in the En¬ 
glish department of Leicester Academy, from 1798 to 1800; he 
then studied theology, and for a time was an itinerant preacher. 
It is believed that he never held a pastorate. After this he 
studied medicine and was known as Doctor Fairbanks, and was 
a physician in Brimfield, Mass.; and continued his practice there 
till his decease in 1826. 

Rev. Elijah Codington, South Brimfield, B., 2 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Codington was ordained there November 11, 1773, and 
was the third minister over the Baptist society there, and con¬ 
tinued his pastorate 53 years. 

17 ministers supplied this year, 39 Sabbaths. 

For 1802, Rev. Alvan Underwood, W. Woodstock, C., 2 
Sabbaths. 

Rev. Zen as L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., 5 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Erastus Learned, Charlton, C., 3 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Edward Turner, Sturbridge, U., 8 Sabbaths. 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


539 


Rev. Thaddeus Fairbanks, itinerant, C., 4 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Hubbell Loomis, Willington, Ct., C., 6 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Otis Lane, Sturbridge, C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Lane was the successor of Rev. Joshua Paine, and the third 
minister of that church; born at Rowley, Mass.; a graduate of 
Harvard College; ordained Dec. 10, 1800. Rev. Abial Holmes, 
D.D., delivered the ordination sermon. He was dismissed the 
24th of February, 1819. 

Rev. Joshua Flagg, an itinerant Universalist, 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. John Nichols, Thompson, Ct., B., 1 Sabbath. 

This Mr. Nichols was the minister of the Baptist church in 
Egremont, Mass., in 1808 and to 1811. There was also another 
Rev. John Nichols, a Universalist, who, for a time, in 1811 and 
1812, supplied preaching for the Universalist church in Oxford, 
who, it is probable, preached occasionally in this parish ; thus, as 
there are no records to show which of these two ministers 
preached here, the matter is uncertain as to which supplied 
mostly here. 

Rev. Eliphalet Lymon, Woodstock, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Lymon was settled over the First Congregational church 
in Woodstock in 1779, and continued their pastor till 1824, 
when, at his request, he was dismissed; he died there in 1835. 

Rev. Mr. Philips and Rev. David Martin, each one-half day, 
1 Sabbath. 

12 ministers preached this year, 35 Sabbaths. 

For 1803, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., 6 Sab¬ 
baths. 

Rev. Erastus Learned, Killingly, 11 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Hosea Ballou, Barnard, Vermont, U., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Edward Turner, Sturbridge, U., 11 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Joshua Flagg, U., 3 Sabbaths. 

Rev. John Murray, of Boston, U., 1 Sabbath. 

This Mr. Murray was the founder of the faith in Universal- 


540 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


ism in America. Some further account of him will be given in 
this article. 

6 ministers supplied this year, 33 Sabbaths. 

For 1804, Rev. Alvan Underwood, West Woodstock, C., 
1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., 5 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Erastus Learned, C., 4 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Edward Turner, Sturbridge, U., 12 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Tiiaddeus Fairbanks, itinerant, C., 5 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Ezra Williams, no account of him, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Joshua Flagg, U., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Wm. Wilde, no account of him, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Edwards AYiiipple, Charlton, Congregationalist, 1 Sab¬ 
bath. 

9 ministers supplied this year, 31 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Edwards Whipple was, no doubt, the most able preacher 
that has been pastor of a church in Charlton ; he was a gentle¬ 
man in manners and social intercourse, and a preacher of a high 
order. Born at New Braintree in 1778 ; a graduate of Williams 
College in 1801. He was ordained pastor of the First Congre¬ 
gational church in Charlton January 25, 1804; his salary was 
$400; on the church declining to advance his salary to $500, 
in 1821, he asked for, and received, dismission. The same year 
he was called by the First Congregational church in Shrews¬ 
bury, and installed there the 21st of September following, with 
a salary of $550. He died suddenly on the 17th of September, 
1822, at the age of 44 years. 

This year the Universalists held their .general convention in 
this Parish Meeting-House; there were present on this occasion 
many of the most distinguished ministers of this order, among 
whom were the noted John Murray, the founder of this faith in 
this country, then of Boston ; Rev. Michael Coffin, of New York ; 


THE POLL PAKISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


541 


Rev. Edward Turner, of Sturbridge, and, no doubt for his 
ability and growing influence with this denomination, this con¬ 
vention was called here; Rev. Elkany Ingalls, of Grafton; 
Elder Caleb Rich, of Warwick ; Rev. Adam Streeter, of Douglas; 
Rev. Richard Carique, then the Universalist minister in Charl¬ 
ton ; Rev. Hosea Ballou, then at Barnard, Vermont; Rev. 
Jacob Wood; Rev. Joshua Flagg; Rev. Hathl. Stacy, and 
others. This Mr. Stacy has left on record his remarks touching 
the preaching of Rev. John Murray, of two discourses here 
during the sitting of this convention. He says: 

“ It was interesting to me to see and hear Mr. Murray. I had 
heard my parents often speak of him, they having professed this 
faith. His manner was pleasing, his eloquence captivating, 
possessing a perfect government over his passions, riveting the 
attention of the hearers, carrying them with him throughout his 
discourse, making them feel the sensibilities of his own soul; 
would bring tears into their eyes, or excite their risibility with 
as much care as the words flowed from his lips.” 

Mr. Murray was the first to suggest the holding of these con¬ 
ventions, in 1783. His remark was : “ Indeed, it would gladden 
my heart if every one who stands forth a public witness of the 
truth as it is in Jesus, could have an opportunity of seeing and 
conversing, one with another, at least once every year.” In 
September, 1785, he thus writes : “ Well, I have been at Oxford, 
and the assembly convened there was truly primitive.” “We 
deliberated, first, on a name ; secondly, on the propriety of being 
united in our common defense; thirdly, upon the utility of an 
annual meeting of representatives from the different societies; 
and, fourthly, upon keeping up a constant correspondence by 
letter.” 

He further remarked: “ Mr. Winchester delivered a most ex¬ 
cellent sermon; his subject was, ‘But though we, or an angel 
from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you, let him be ac- 


542 


THE POLL PA KISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


cursed.’ By the desire of Mr. Winchester, I closed the services.” 
Thus was a convention formed, and, we may add, organized by 
the aid of the father of this denomination in this country. 

This convention was held the 14th of September, 1785, at 
Oxford ; the Kev. Elhanan Winchester, of Philadelphia, was 
chosen Moderator. This was the first convention of this de¬ 
nomination, and, as has been stated in another place, it was held 
in Oxford in the years 1791, 1793, and 1794, but has not been 
held there since.* At this time, 1804, it is presumed that this 
religious sect had risen to the height of its influence in this 
vicinity. 

Mr. Murray was born the 10th of December, 1741, in the 
town of Alton, in Hampshire, England, about forty-eight miles 
south-west of London; his father was an Episcopalian, but his 
mother favored Presbyterianism; they moved into Ireland, and 
becoming acquainted with the preaching of John Wesley and 
George Whitfield, they became Methodists, but wavered between 
the Calvinism of Whitfield and the Arminianism of Wesley, 
still were earnest and devout Christians. 

Their son, till some time after the death of his father, held to 
the faith of his parents; but before coming to America had 
heard the preacher James Kelly, a Universalist, then in much 
disrepute, and regarded as blasphemous by the other religious 
denominations, but of a highly moral and devotional character. 
Relly’s peculiar faith and preaching at once had the force of 
conviction and firm belief with Murray; but having lost by 
death his wife and an only child, and being much embarrassed 
in his pecuniary affairs, he fell into a condition of melancholy, 
desiring seclusion from society, and in this state of mind sailed 
for America, arriving in September, 1770, and by accident the 
vessel ran ashore in Cranberry Inlet, on the south coast of New 


* See “Historical Collections,” Vol. I., pp. 222 and 223. 



THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 543 

Jersey, where he became acquainted with an eccentric, but evi¬ 
dently religious man, Thomas Potter, yet destitute of education 
either sufficient to read or write; still a man of much intellect¬ 
ual power, who had accumulated considerable property, and who 
by intuition had the foresight of discovering the peculiarities 
of the leading traits of the character of Murray. Without know¬ 
ing anything of the antecedents of him, declared that he was 
impressed with the fact that he was a minister; and from the 
time he discovered the strange vessel in the inlet, he was im¬ 
pressed with the idea that God had sent him a minister to 
preach in the meeting-house he had not long before erected in 
the woods near his house for religious worship. 

The revelations, as expressed, excited Mr. Murray with aston¬ 
ishment ; and nothing he could say could change the convictions- 
of this eccentric genius that he, Murray, was not sent by special 
Providence to preach in his meeting-house. 

Finally, by urgent persuasion, Mr. Murray consented to 
preach, greatly to the satisfaction of his new friend. Differing 
with his neighbors, and earnest in his religious convictions, this 
man had worked out in his mind, alone, the faith of the univer¬ 
sal salvation of all men. 

Here this man was born, lived, and died, and his grave may 
be found near the meeting-house he had erected for making 
known his peculiar faith. It was here at Cranberry Inlet, at a 
place known as Good Luck , that John Murray preached his first 
sermon in America. 

Mr. Murray was a settled minister at Gloucester, and from 
there became the pastor of the Universalist church and society 
at Boston, where he died the 3d of September, 1815. 

Mr. Murray had preached as an itinerant quite extensively 
before these settlements.* 


* See “ Life of John Murray,” by himself, published in 1870. New edition, pp. 195-212. 




544 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


For 1805, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., 7 Sab¬ 
baths. 

Rev. Edward Turner, Sturbridge, IT., 10 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Thaddeus Fairbanks, itinerant, C., 6 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Elisha Codington, South Brimfield, B., 1 Sabbath. 
Rev. Ezra Williams, unknown, 1 Sabbath. 

5 ministers supplied this year, 25 Sabbaths. 

For 1806, Rev. Alvan Underwood, W. Woodstock, C., 1 
Sabbath. 

Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., 4 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Edward Turner, Sturbridge, TL, 8 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Thaddeus Fairbanks, itinerant, C., 5 Sabbaths. 

Rev. William Wilde, unknown, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. David Batchellor, itinerant, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Batchellor was installed pastor, in 1816, over the 1st 
Congregational church in Oxford, and continued his services 
there till his decease in 1822. 

Rev. Samuel Judson, Uxbridge, C., 8 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Judson was pastor of 1st Congregational church in Ux¬ 
bridge ; was ordained there in 1792. 

7 ministers supplied preaching this year, 23 Sabbaths. 

For 1807, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., 8 Sab¬ 
baths. 

Rev. Edward Turner, Sturbridge, U., 3 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Hosea Ballou, Portsmouth, 1ST. H., IT., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. John Nichols, uncertain as to his faith, 10 Sabbaths. 
Rev. William Wilde, unknown, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Edwards Whipple, Charlton, C., 3 Sabbath. 

Rev. Mr. Riddle, unknown, 3 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Mr. Noyes, uncertain, 1 Sabbath. 

8 ministers supplied preaching this year, 28 Sabbaths. 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


545 


For 1808, Rev. Alvan Underwood, W. Woodstock, C., 1 
Sabbath. 

Kev. Zenas L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., 3 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Edward Turner, Sturbridge, 3 Sabbaths. 

Kev. Elisha Sabine, unknown, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. John Nichols, uncertain, 12 Sabbaths. 

Rev. William Graves, E. Woodstock, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Luther Wilson, Brooklyn, Ct., C., 3 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Abisha Sampson, Rutland, Mass., B., 1 Sabbath. 

8 ministers supplied this year, 25 Sabbaths. 

For 1809, Rev. Edwards Whipple, Charlton, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Edward Turner, Salem, Mass., U., 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. John Nichols, uncertain, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. David Batchellor, itinerant, C., 6 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Luther Wilson, Brooklyn, Ct., C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Dea. Nathan Grosvenor, Sturbridge, 6 Sabbaths. 

6 ministers supplied preaching this year, 18 Sabbaths 

For 1810, Rev. Joshua Flagg, itinerant, U., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Edwards Whipple, Charlton, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Abisha Sampson, Rutland, B., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Billy Hibbard, a noted traveling Methodist, 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Hibbard preached mostly in the towns west of Connect¬ 
icut River in Massachusetts, at Chester, Alford, Hinsdale, and 
Pittsfield. He was an acquaintance of Rev. Daniel Bromley, 
who had preceded him here. 

Rev. Peter Whitney, Northborough, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Whitney was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
church there in 1767, and died there in 1815, aged 71. He was 
the historian of Worcester County; his work was published in 
1793. 

Rev. Elisha Sweet, unknown, 13 Sabbaths. 


546 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


Rev. I. S. Pomeroy, Worthington, Mass., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Pomerov was a native of Fairfield, Ct., and settled over 
the church there Nov. 26, 1794, and continued till 1832, when 
he received dismission. 

7 ministers supplied preaching this year, 19 Sabbaths. 

For 1811, Rev. Alvan Underwood, W. Woodstock, C., 1 
Sabbath. 

Rev. Lucian Bolls, Salem, Mass., B., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Preserved Smith, Mendon, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Smith was a native of Alford, Mass.; a graduate of 
Brown University in 1786; ordained pastor of the Congrega¬ 
tional church in Rowe, Mass., in 1787, and dismissed in 1804; 
installed at Mendon, Oct. 2, 1805, and dismissed there Oct. 12, 
1812; settled at Warwick, Mass., in 1814. 

Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, Leicester, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Moore was born in Palmer, Mass. ; a graduate of Dart¬ 
mouth College; preceptor of the academy of Londonderry, N. 
H. He studied theology with Rev. Dr. Backus, of Somers, 
Ct., and Jan. 10, 1798, was ordained as pastor of the Congrega¬ 
tional church in Leicester, and was preceptor of Leicester 
Academy from July, 1806, to Oct., 1807, when he was ap¬ 
pointed professor of languages at Dartmouth College, and served 
there from 1811 to 1815. He was then elected President of 
Williams College, and served till 1821, and then elected to the 
presidency of Amherst College, where he continued till his de¬ 
cease, June 20, 1823, aged 58 years. 

Rev. Warren Fay, Brimfield, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Fay was ordained pastor of the Congregational church 
there Nov. 2,1808, and dismissed, at his request, June 26,1811; 
he preceded Rev. Joseph Yaill. He was then installed over the 
church at Harvard, Mass., in 1814. 

Rev. Ebenezer Sawyer, Dighton, Mass., B., 1 Sabbath. 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


547 


Rev. Festus Foster, Petersham, Mass., C., 1 Sabhatli. 

Mr. Foster was ordained there in 1802, and continued his pas¬ 
torate till 1819. 

Rev. John Nichols, uncertain as to his faith, 11 Sabbaths. 
Rev. David Batchellor, itinerant, C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Elisha Sweet, unknown, 4 Sabbaths. 

Dea. Nathan Grosvenor, Sturbridge, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Luther Wilson, Brooklyn, Ct., C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Edwards Whipple, Charlton, C., 1 Sabbath. 

13 ministers supplied preaching this year, 28 Sabbaths. 

For 1812, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., half Sab¬ 
bath. 

Rev. Abial Williams, Dudley, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Williams was a native of Raynham, Mass.; a graduate of 
Brown University in 1795; he was ordained pastor of the Con¬ 
gregational church in Dudley June 12, 1799, and dismissed 
March 16, 1831. 

Rev. Lucius Bolles, Salem, Mass., B., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, Leicester, C., 6 Sabbaths. 
Rev. Warren Fay, itinerant, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. George Angell, South Woodstock, B., 1 Sabbath. 

This was Mr. Angell’s first appearance as a preacher in this 
parish; an historical sketch of him has been given in Yol. II. of 
this writer’s “Historical Collections,” pp. 510 and 511. 

Rev. Ezra Williams, unknown to this writer, 1 Sabbath. 
Rev. David A. Clark, Braintree, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. D. T. Kimball, Ipswich, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Otis Lane, Sturbridge, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Jacob Rice, no knowledge of him, 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Philamon Munger, no knowledge of him, 1 Sabbath. 
Rev. Abisha Sampson, Harvard, Mass., B., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Festus Foster, Petersham, Mass., C., 4 Sabbaths. 

14 ministers supplied preaching this year, 22J- Sabbaths. 


548 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


For 1813, Rev. Zen as L. Leonard, Sturbridge, Baptist, 2 Sab¬ 
baths. 

Rev. George Angell, Woodstock, Baptist, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Otis Lane, Sturbridge, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. David Batchellor, itinerant, C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Warren Fay, itinerant, C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Samuel Austin, D.D., Worcester, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Dr. Austin was a graduate of Yale College in 1783 ; a pastor 
at Fairhaven, Ct., three years; then pastor of the First Congre¬ 
gational church, Worcester, Mass., 25 years; in 1815 was 
elected to, and accepted, the Presidency of the University of Ver¬ 
mont, and continued six years; he died December 4, 1830, 
aged 70. 

Rev. Jordon Dodge, Baptist, 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Dodge was for a time pastor of the Baptist church in 
Sturbridge. 

Rev. Ephraim T. Woodruff, Coventry, Ct., 4 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Stephen Harrell, Sturbridge, Baptist, 1 Sabbath. ' 

Mr. Harkell was a farmer, and had but little education ; he 
belonged to that class of the Baptists who did not believe it 
necessary to have the ministry educated, but to speak by the 
force of inspiration, as the Spirit moved them. 

Rev. John Taylor, itinerant, C., 4 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Taylor was a native of Hew Salem, Mass.; a graduate of 
Brown University in 1809; was settled in Shutesbury, Mass., 
January 17, 1816 ; he was dismissed May 15, 1822. 

Rev. Thomas Paul, a colored man, Boston, B., 1 Sabbath. 

He was pastor of the African Baptist church in Belknap 
Street many years, and much respected by the other Boston 
churches. He occasionally visited this part of Worcester 
County as a revivalist preacher. 

Rev. Richard Carique, Oxford, U., 1 Sabbath. 

12 ministers supplied preaching this year, 21 Sabbaths. 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 549 

Por 1814, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., 7 Sab¬ 
baths. 

Rev. George Angell, Woodstock, B., 7 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Caleb Knight, Hinsdale, Mass., C., 6 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Knight was invited to supply preaching for the church at 
Hinsdale in 1801, and was ordained in April, 1802; he was dis¬ 
missed, at his own request, in 1816 ; he was born in Lisbon, Ct.; 
graduated at Williams College in 1800. From 1816 to 1836 
there has not been found any record of him, but June 22, 1836, 
he was installed over the Congregational church in Montgomery, 
in Hampden County, Mass.; and dismissed in 1839. 

Rev. Joseph Field, Charlemont, Mass., C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Field was a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1792; or¬ 
dained there the 4th of December, 1799 ; he became a Unitarian, 
and was dismissed July 10, 1823. 

Rev. Nicholas Branch, West Woodstock, B., 1 Sabbath. 

He was a young licensed minister from the First Baptist 
church in Providence; commenced a supply for this Baptist 
church in 1814, and admitted to membership there June 26, 
1815, and next day ordained as pastor; he continued with this 
church six years, and after preaching in different places many 
years, was a preacher at Shutesbury two years; he returned to 
this church in W. Woodstock in 1858, and served there two 
years more. 

Rev. David Batciiellor, itinerant, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Stephen Williams, no knowledge of him, 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. William Bentley, Worcester, B., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Mr. Bentley was born in Newport, R. I., March 3, 1775, 
and was ordained at Salem, Mass., in 1807; his first pastorate 
was at Tiverton, R. I.; he preached the first time in Worcester, 
in May, 1812, and in June, July, and August, same year, 
occasionally; and on the 12th of October he was requested to 
return, and November 5th. following, a church was formed, 


550 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


known as the First Baptist church in Worcester. He was in¬ 
stalled the same day; Dr. Gano, of Providence, gave the ser¬ 
mon ; there were present, Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, of Sturbridge, 
and Rev. James Boomer, of Charlton. 

S ministers supplied preaching this year, 27 Sabbaths. 

For 18J5, Rev. Jason Park, Canterbury, Ct., C., 20 Sabbaths. 

This was the first appearance of Mr. Park, as a preacher, in 
this parish. Born in Canterbury, Ct., in 1779, died in Barre, 
Mich., May 11, 1849. A more particular sketch of his history 
has been given in another place in this work, Yol. II., p. 485. 

Rev. Alvan Underwood, W. Woodstock, Ct., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Zenas L. Leonard, Sturbridge, B., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Caleb Rich, Warwick, Universalist, 9 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Edward Mills, Sutton, Mass., C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. George Angell, S. Woodstock, B., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Otis Lane, Sturbridge, C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Joshua Johnson, formerly of Dudley, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Mr. Johnson was installed over the Congregational church at 
Dudley, in December, 1790; he was settled first over the 
church at E. Woodstock, where he was ordained December 20, 
1780, and dismissed September 28, 1790, and from thence to 
Dudley, where he was dismissed in May, 1796. He was a gradu¬ 
ate of Yale College in 1775. 

Rev. Edwards Whipple, Charlton, C., 5 Sabbaths. 

Rev. David Batchellor, itinerant, C., 3 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Henry Smith, Waterborough, Maine, B., 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Samuel Backus, E. Woodstock, C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Mr. Backus was ordained over the church there, January 19, 
1815, and was dismissed June 3, 1830. In 1832 he was installed 
over the Congregational church in Palmer, Mass. 

Rev. Joshua Bates, Dedham, Congregationalist, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Mr. Bates at this time was a distinguished preacher at 
Dedham; he was born at Cohasset, March 26, 1776 ; a gradu- 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


551 


ate of Harvard University in 1800; and ordained pastor at 
Dedham in 1803. He was dismissed, at his request, in 1818, and 
the same year, in March, was elected, and became the President of 
MiddJebury College, Vermont, and soon after honored with the 
degree of D.D., by Yale College; in 1840 he resigned this 
office, after twenty-two years’ service, at the age of 64. He 
was Chaplain in Congress in the ;year 1841, and soon after 
preached at Portland, Maine, and then supplied two years at 
Northborough, Mass.; and from thence was installed at Dudley, 
where he continued till his decease, January 14, 1854, aged 77 
years. He was, probably, the most distinguished preacher that 
has been settled in that town. 

13 ministers supplied preaching this year, 49 Sabbaths. 

For 1816, Rev. Jason Park, Canterbury, C., 1T| Sabbaths. 

Rev. Zen as L. Leonard, Sturbridge, R, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Abial Williams, Dudley, C., 2 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Mr. Spooner, unknown, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Mr. Putnam, unknown, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. George Angell, Woodstock, B., 15 Sabbaths. 

Rev. Eseck. Brown, unknowm, 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Nicholas Branch, W. Woodstock, B., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Edwards W hipple, Charlton, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. David Batchellor, Oxford, C., 1 Sabbath. 

Rev. Samuel Backus, E. Woodstock, C., 2 Sabbaths. 

11 ministers supplied this year, 43 \ Sabbaths. 

The foregoing brings the history of the Parish Meeting- 
House down to the year of the incorporation of the town; the 
religious affairs at this time came under the control, mostly, of 
the Baptists and Congregationalists; still, there were many who 
united in the support of these two religious bodies whose faith 
continued firm either as Methodists or Universalists, and it only 
required time, as has been shown by the history of these latter 


552 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


religions parties, that each soon grew in numbers and ability, 
sufficient to enable them to withdraw their support from the 
former religious bodies, and. to erect houses, and. support con¬ 
stant religious worship in accordance with their own particular 
faith. 

The Parish Meeting-House continued as it was originally con¬ 
structed till the year 1835. At this time the old style of square 
pews gave place to the modern slips, and the old tower was 
taken down, and the modern spire erected in its place. An ex¬ 
penditure was made, in effecting this change, of $1,415. 

This house continued in this changed condition till the year 
1848, when the building was sold to Captain Luther Amini- 
down & Sons, and removed by them about fifty feet to the 
west. The tower and spire were removed and the body of the 
house in size as originally built, was changed in its interior; 
the lower part formed into stores and the upper part made into 
a hall. 

This building, as now changed in its interior, received the 
name “ Tammany Hall and thus continued to be known till 
the evening of Nov. 13, 1863, when it caught fire and was to¬ 
tally destroyed, together with the new meeting-house, erected 
upon the location from which it was removed, and two other 
large buildings located westerly to Central Street. 

Upon the location of Tammany Hall, which was the remains 
of the Parish Meeting-House, now stands the brick and stone 
building known as Ammidown Block, and in the westerly part 
thereof is the Free Public Library, Keading-room, and Museum 
of Natural History of the town of Southbridge. The Ammi¬ 
down Block was erected and finished in the year 1871, by 
Holmes Ammidown, of New York, a former resident, and a 
native of this town, who gave to the town, free of rent, a per¬ 
petual lease of that part of this block for the use of the Public 
Library and departments connected therewith. The Library 


THE POLL PARISH AND MEETING-HOUSE. 


553 


apartments, including Library, Reading-room, and Museum, are 
built with iron floor beams, with brick arches, iron doors and 
frames, and iron window-shutters, all designed, as far as possible, 
to make these apartments fire-proof. This part of the block, 
including its share of ground on which the building stands, and 
roof over same, added about twenty thousand dollars to the 
original cost of the block. 

The Library was opened in these rooms, January 1, 1872. 


SCHOOLS. 


The first school for the education of children within the lim¬ 
its of the territory, now Southbridge, was one of four schools 
provided for by the people of Sturbridge in the year 1742. 

This school was located in the south-east part of that town, 
near where stands the residence of the late Captain Ralph Whee- 
lock, then a part of the farm of James Denison. This farm 
and residence has more recently been known as the place of the 
late Lovel Morse. Captain Wheelock married the daughter of 
Mr. Denison, the first white child born in that town. 

The first school-mistress who had charge of this school was 
Margaret Manning. The school for a time was kept in Mr. 
Denison’s barn. 

The first school-house erected in this place, then a part of 
Sturbridge, was ordered by a vote of that town in 1753, being 
one of the first three school-houses built in Sturbridge. 

In May, 1770, on a petition of Jeremiah Morse (grandfather 
of the late Francis S. Morse), Ephraim Bacon, and others, resi¬ 
dents in the south-east corner of that town, it was granted that 
the people in that vicinity may have the privilege of drawing 
their share of the school money (being the amount of school tax 
they paid the town), to be used in schooling their children. 

This privilege and grant, by Sturbridge, in 1770, is the origin 
of what is known as the Pratt district, now in Southbridge. It 
included all that east part and Lebanon Hill. 

In 1775 another district was established in this east part of 
Sturbridge, in what is now the Center Tillage of Southbridge, 
south of the residence of the late Benjamin Freeman, and about 


SCHOOLS. 


555 


the locality of the house, now the residence of Frederick W. 
Batham, Esq. 

Hie same year the school-house on the Denison place hay- 
ins;; been burned, the new school-house was erected farther south, 
near the residence of Ensign Ellis, and this is now the south¬ 
west school district in Soutlibridge. 

This school was known in Sturbridge as No. 4, that by the 
late Col. Benjamin Freeman as No. 5, and the south-east school 
by Henry Pratt’s residence, as No. 10. Showing that Stur¬ 
bridge, in the year 1775, had at least ten district schools. 

In 1790 a district was formed in the south part of this terri¬ 
tory, and the school-house located near the residence of Mr. 
Jephthah Clark. This has since been known as the Clark district 
school. 

About 1795 the west part of the Freeman district was set off, 
and a school-house erected in what is now the Globe Village. 

Thus, in that part of the territory of Sturbridge taken to aid 
in forming Soutlibridge, there were live district schools. 

In the part taken from Charlton, only one school, and that 
was located nearly half-way on the road between the late Joshua 
Vinton place and the Wm. Bradford place. This writer at¬ 
tended school during his school-days in that first old school- 
house, and was at the summer school in 1806, when occurred 
the total eclipse of the sun that was visible in that region that 
year. 

In the part taken from Dudley, there was only one school, 
and that located in the pasture south of the house of Elisha 
Sabin, but later that of John Ammidown and his son, the late 
Lewis Ammidown, and has been known as the Ammidown 
school. 

This writer was a teacher in that old school-house in the pas¬ 
ture in the year 1820, and had the late Deacon Marvin Cheeney 
for a scholar. 


MASONIC INSTITUTIONS. 


The Fayette Lodge was granted by the Grand Lodge of Mas¬ 
sachusetts, on the petition of Ebenezer Philips and others, 
March 14, 1796—meetings to be held in Charlton. 

June 10, 1799, leave was granted that the meetings may be 
held in either town—Charlton, Sturbridge, and Dudley, which 
composed this district. 

The meetings, when this Lodge was first granted, were held 
in a room in General Salem Town’s dwelling-house. Mr. Town 
erected his house the year this Lodge was granted, and fitted a 
room for its meetings. This dwelling-house is now standing 
in 1880, and is in good condition, as a substantial dwelling- 
house, now eighty-four years since it was built. 

The motto of the seal of this Lodge is “ Conjuncti fratemo 
amove .” On the outside of this circular seal is the name, Fay¬ 
ette Lodge , Charlton , Mass .; and within the circle are the com¬ 
pass and Bible, and the motto, “ Nil Sine DeiP 

In 1806 the Grand Master appointed R. W. Ebenezer Philips, 
of Charlton, Deputy Grand Master for the Sixth District. This 
office required of Mr. Philips to visit the several Lodges in the 
district (the extent of same and number of Lodges, not ascer¬ 
tained), and to report their standing and working condition to 
the Grand Master. 

In 1804 William Weld erected what was for many years 
known as Weld’s Tavern, and fitted the hall for the use of this 
Lodge, which building is now standing, and is the dwelling- 
house of David Craig, on the west side of the Common. 

In 1805 Major Moses Dresser erected the tavern on Dresser 


MASONIC INSTITUTIONS. 


557 


Hill, now standing, and fitted the hall for this association, which 
removed and held its meetings here, being convenient of access 
for the members who resided in the three towns, Charlton, 
Dudley, and Sturbridge, the district which this Lodge cov¬ 
ered. 

The Royal Arch Chapter for this district in 1805, and subse¬ 
quently, held its meetings here. 

The King Solomon Lodge, chartered September 18, 1805, 
was granted on the petition of the late Captain Gershom Plimp¬ 
ton and others. 

This was a progressive Lodge for a time; it was represented 
in the Grand Lodge by Sumner-Bars tow, of Sutton, in 1808; 
and again in 1810, by Major John Brown, of Dudley; in 1815 
was again represented by Sumner Barstow, but was represented 
the previous year by Rev. Richard Carique, then the Universal- 
ist minister of Oxford. 

This Lodge in 1815 purchased a new set of jewels and re¬ 
galia, at the cost of $120. The same year the officers of this 
Lodge had a public installation in Charlton Center; a procession 
was formed and proceeded to Rev. Edwards Whipple’s meeting¬ 
house, where the Lodge was solemnly consecrated and the offi¬ 
cers installed. Mr. Whipple officiated, and after the services the 
procession formed and returned to the Weld Hall, and partook 
of a dinner prepared by Mr. Copeland. The dinner being over, 
there followed speeches, sentiment, and songs, making a pleas¬ 
ant occasion, when the Lodge retired to its working duties and 
adjourned. 

Among those present at this installation were W. E. Richard 
Carique, High-Priest; E. John Brown, King; E. Benjamin 
Stow, Scribe; Comp. Thaddeus Marble, Treasurer; Comp. 
Jason Waters, Secretary; Comp. Gershom Plimpton, R. A. 
Captain; Comp. Ephriam Williard, C. O. H.; Comp. Erich 
Marsh, P. S.; Comp. Reuben Harrington, Joseph G. Hall, and 


558 


MASONIC INSTITUTIONS. 


Francis O. Clark, Masters of the Yails; Comp. Jonathan Cope¬ 
land and Moses Williams, Stewards, and Rufus Bacon, Tyler. 

John Wilder, of Leicester, was elected its High-Priest in 
1817. This same year Richard Carique removed and was in¬ 
stalled the first High-Priest of the Adoniram Chapter at Attle¬ 
borough, Mass. At the session in 1818 Rev. Jonathan Going,' 
of Worcester, King, and Nathan Knowlton, Scribe, represented 
this Chapter in the Grand Lodge several years. Rev. Mr. Going 
was the pastor of the Baptist church in Worcester, and was a 
member of the Royal Arch Chapter in that town. He intro¬ 
duced the Rev. George Angel into the King Solomon Chapter, 
who for several years continued fellowship with that institution. 

In 1825 this Chapter had a noted gathering at Charlton Cen¬ 
ter, to celebrate the nativity of St. John the Baptist on the 24th 
of June. The committee of arrangements were Stephen Eddy, 
Albigence Marsh, Harvey Dresser, Maj. John Spurr, and David 
Lathe. Linus Childs, Esq., then a law student at Dudley, na¬ 
tive of Woodstock, delivered the oration. John Spurr, Marshal 
of the day. 

The last entry in their book of records is May 12, 1829. 
Their charter was recalled by the Grand Chapter, September 8, 
1840, and September 13, 1842, stricken from the list. 

This Chapter held its regular meetings in the tavern on 
Dresser Hill, and at a meeting in 1806, the Blue Lodge, that 
held its meetings in the house of Gen. Town, and William 
Weld’s tavern, united in holding their meetings at the same place, 
where, beneath one of the lids of the side seats, is the following 
inscription: “ Built, 1805; finished painting, June 6, 1808, by 
Nathan Walden.” 

This writer was a member of the Doric Lodge in Southbridge, 
and was personally known to, and had seen, nearly every per¬ 
son named in this historic sketch of the Masons of this vicinity. 
He knew a large proportion of the members and officers of these 


MASONIC INSTITUTIONS. 


559 


several institutions who resided in the three towns here named, 
that attended these meetings; the writer was twenty-five years 
of age when the Doric Lodge was chartered in 1826. He now 
recalls the names of no one whom he knew of these parties now 
living. Still, some few of these members may survive. The 
late Southbridge Lodge is excepted in this statement. 

When the Doric Lodge of Southbridge was organized, it re¬ 
ceived into membership several persons who had belonged to 
these older Lodges. 

This Lodge was active in its work several years ; this writer 
was received into membership the first year after it received its 
charter in 1826. 

The general excitement produced throughout our country by 
the abduction of William Morgan, at Lockport, N. Y., in 1830, 
cast a stigma upon these institutions for many years. 

There was a general spirit of condemnation against secret 
societies, that had, as then believed by many, a tendency to re¬ 
gard the laws of the country as of no binding force when they 
interfered with the oaths of these institutions, yet it is believed 
that an idea of superiority of these oaths was not recognized by 
any Mason, except, perhaps, by parties ignorant of their duties 
under the civil laws for the support of good order in society. 
But the abduction of Morgan was regarded a sufficient reason 
for suspending action by the Masonic institutions for many 
years, out of respect for public opinion. 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES IN THE 
TOWN OF CHARLTON. 


The first burial-ground in Cliarlton is believed to be the 
Dresser Cemetery, in the valley west of Dresser Hill. 

As Charlton was originally a part of the territory granted in 
1683 for the town of Oxford, it is presumed that the first set¬ 
tlers in this west part of her territory buried their dead in the 
first cemetery of that town on Oxford plain. It is quite proba¬ 
ble that settlements did not commence in this west part of Ox¬ 
ford, except, perhaps, near the present Oxford west line, before 
about 1735 to 1740, as the first permanent settlements in Oxford 
were not till the year 1713. 

This cemetery contains only one acre of ground ; the [first 
burial was a young man, James Dresser, son of Lieut. John 
Dresser, who set apart this ground for a burial-place, probably 
at the time of the death of his son, in May, 1745. Aaron 
Dresser, a great-grandson of the donor, knew the place of this 
grave, and date of same. 

This burial-ground became the property of Elijah Thompson ; 
and his descendant, George Thompson, gave a deed of same to 
the town, conditioned that it be cared for as a cemetery, and 
two gates maintained for entrance-ways. It contains about 160 
head-stones at this time. The privilege of burial here was 
granted by the original proprietor and his heirs for the families 
residing in the south part of the town. 

This Dresser family came from Thompson, Connecticut, about 
1735, and located on the hill that now bears their name. 

Richard Dresser, brother of John Dresser, born in Thompson, 
Sept. 22,1714, old style, married the daughter of Moses Marcy, 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES. 


561 


who bought lands at the south-west corner of the town in 1732, 
on the Quinebang River, and settled there with his family. They 
came from Woodstock, and were neighbors to the Dressers and 
Altons when they resided in Thompson, and all came to Charl¬ 
ton and located in the south part of this town, about the same 
time, as the first pioneer settlers when all this part was an un_ 
broken wilderness. 

Miss Dorathy Marcy, who married Richard Dresser, Oct. 12, 
1741, was born in Woodstock, Nov. 18, 1723. She died May 
16, 1770, aged 47; and he died Aug. 27, 1797, aged 83. 

This Mr. Dresser was the first Town Clerk in this town, and 
his father-in-law, Moses Marcy, was authorized by the General 
Court of Massachusetts, wdien the act of incorporation for this 
town was granted, to give notice and preside at the first meeting 
for organizing by choice of town officers. 

The early residents in this part of Charlton were the Dressers, 
Bloods, Altons, Chamberlains, Ammidowns, Clements, and 
Conants. 

Philip Ammidown and wife were buried in this cemetery. 

Caleb Ammidown, who died in 1799, and his wife, Hannah 
Sabin, who died in 1820, were buried here; also Patty Holmes, 
wife of Luther Ammidown, who died in 1794, and an infant 
son of this Mr. Ammidown, by his second wife, was buried 
here. 

But all these interments of the Ammidown family, except 
Philip and his wife, have been removed to the cemetery at Cen¬ 
ter Village, in Southbridge, and deposited in the lot on which 
stands the memorial tomb, erected in 1867 by Holmes Ammi¬ 
down, a descendant of this family. 

NORTH SIDE CEMETERY. 

This cemetery dates back to an early period in this town’s 
history ; but at what date it was set apart for a burial-place is 


562 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES. 


not now known. It has been reported as having been a part of 
the land formerly of Jonathan Wheelock, one of the planters in 
this north part, and since was the property of John Wheelock, 
who died and was buried here in 1816. His heirs enlarged the 
original ground, which has since passed into the possession of 
the town, and again enlarged and improved. 

Here are some noticeable monuments erected in this burial- 
place, among which may be mentioned one erected to the 
memory of Dea. Daniel Bacon by his descendants. His burial 
was in 1813. Another to the grave of Levi Hammond, and one 
to the memory of Samuel Rich ; besides the names of Lamb, 
Stone, Wheelock, Davis, Tucker, Marble, Williams, and Waters. 
This last, to the memory of Capt. Israel Waters, was erected at 
the expense of Leicester Academy Fund, by the trustees of 
that institution. Capt. Waters gave by his last will and testa¬ 
ment $8,000 or more as a fund for that institution. 

David Dunbar, of the Revolutionary war, lies buried here. 
He was a religious man, and much devoted to that cause. 

When Gen. Lafayette, in 1825, passed through this town, he 
was greeted by Mr. Dunbar in words of hearty welcome as an 
old companion in arms. Mr. Dunbar died New Year’s Day, 
1827, aged 80 years. 

The remains of Ebenezer Davis, who died in 1816, aged 79, 
were buried here. At the time of his death he was regarded as 
one of the most wealthy men in Worcester County. He was 
one of the founders of the Baptist society, and he and his wife 
united with that church; but afterward withdrew and was a 
strong supporter of the faith of Universalism. Rev. James 
Boomer, a long time pastor of the Baptist society here, was 
buried in this cemetery; he died Feb. 25, 1837, aged 78 years. 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES. 


563 


THE CENTER CEMETERY, CHARLTON. 

This cemetery ground, the first part, was a gift to the town 
by Ebenezer McTntire, containing an acre of ground, accepted 
by a vote of the town at a meeting .March 12,1764, and located 
as represented, l/ittLs south-sccst of Eh67i€Z6T cIfit'ivs s bccvn^ 
He also gave the land for the location of the meeting-house and 
common. This Mr. Mclntire was the first settler in this locality, 
now the center of Charlton, and acting upon the principle of a 
wise liberality, he enhanced the value of his real estate by these 
gifts, for the encouragement and advancing of the prosperity of 
this Center Tillage. He opened his residence for a tavern, 
which, for many years, was the chief resort of the townspeople 
for business and amusement. This center cemetery has been 
twice enlarged by taking land on the south and east, the north 
and west sides being bounded by roads. 

The first tomb was erected by Daniel Alexander, about 1812. 
This was for his wife, who died two or three years before. He 
died in 1831, aged 89. 

In 1812 Rufus Wakefield built, by contract, eight tombs for 
the following gentlemen: Salem Town, William Weld, Gen. 
John Spurr, John Stephens, John Rich, and two other families 
whose names do not appear on the doors. 

The eighth tomb was not built till 1819; this was for Gibbs 
Dodge. The Wm. Weld tomb was sold to Harvelin Town, in 
which the remains of his father and mother were deposited, 
making nine tombs in this yard. 

The most numerous names of persons buried in this cemetery, 
are: Philips, Towns, Harwoods, Mclntires, Welds, Marbles, 
Ryders, Wards, Bordens, Fays, Spurrs, Stones, Fitts, Williards, 
Merritts, Goodails, Bartons, Richs, Woodburys, Wakefields, 
Bull ins, Comins, and Lampsons. Rev. Caleb Curtis, the first 
settled minister of Charlton, was buried here; his pastorate was 


564 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES. 


from 1762 to 1776; but he continued to reside in this town and 
took an active part in its affairs many years afterward ; he died 
here in 1802. 

Ebenezer Mclntire, the donor of the first part of this cem¬ 
etery, and active in the early history of Charlton ; his remains 
were buried here, but no memorial stone has been erected to his 
memory, nor is the place of the grave positively known. His¬ 
tory alone perpetuates his name through the recorded acts of his 
judicious liberality. 

CHARLTON CITY CEMETERY. 

This cemetery is a proprietary yard; the owners at first were 
twenty-eight persons, organized the 20th of May, 1856, under 
an act of the Legislature of March 17, 1841. Simeon Lamb, a 
Justice of the Peace, aided in the organization and location of 
the grounds; he was the moderator then, and of the meetings 
since. Washington W. White was the secretary. The land was 
purchased of Nathan Walker, and laid out in lots by the trus¬ 
tees. They have a receiving vault, which was erected by 
Horace Prince in 1859. 

In 1864 this association received from the executors of the 
will of Benjamin W allis $300, to be used in beautifying these 
grounds. 

The first burials here were the bodies of Waldo Wallis and a 
Miss Thayer, interred the same day. A new fence was erected 
for its inclosure in 1869. The lot was accurately surveyed in 
1872, by R. B. Dodge. 

The following are the present Trustees for 1877: Simeon 
Lamb, David R. Dodge, Erastus Winslow, Jonas Bemis, Elijah 
R. Carpenter, Jeremiah Newton, and Charles D. White. Their 
by-laws were adopted May 20, 1836. 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES. 


565 


FAMILY OR PRIVATE BURIAL YARDS. 

There are thirteen or fourteen family burying yards in Charl¬ 
ton. These were set apart for burials, mostly at an early period 
in this town, although some are of recent times. 

These private burial-places were adopted through mistaken 
views, mostly, probably, for reasons of family associations, pa¬ 
rental or filial regard, and the sacredness of homestead relations. 
But reflection and experience teaches, that these homesteads 
often change owners and pass entirely from all family relation¬ 
ship, and into hands that knew not the former owners, and care 
little or nothing for the memory of those sacredly, and with 
great solemnity there buried. There is no law for the protec¬ 
tion of these private burial-places; disinterested owners regard 
the inclosures and memorial tablets only as an incumbrance, 
and unless protected by reservations in conveyances, and per¬ 
manently fenced in with stone or indestructible material, the 
yards and head-stones are sometimes removed, and the place of 
such interments lost. 

It is quite different with cemeteries set apart by towns as 
public burial-places. Legislative enactments protect public 
cemeteries ; they continue under town authority without change. 

The following are the names and localities of the several 
private burial-places : 

Me Intire Burial-place . 

The Mclntire burial-place is a few rods in the rear of the resi¬ 
dence of B. B. Dodge, on land now owned by Frank L. Horn ; it 
was formerly the residence of Obed Mclntire. A colony of 
persons of that name settled in this west part of Charlton, but 
have generally passed away, and all that they regarded as sacred 
to themselves and posterity has passed to the hands of strangers 
who knew them not, and have no reverence or respect for their 
remains and traditionary history. 


566 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES. 


Cranberry Meadow Cemetery. 

This is located near the north line of Charlton. The Ham¬ 
monds, Wards, Lambs, Hewhalls, and Whites are connected 
with this burial-place. 

Williams Burial-place. 

Maj. Daniel Williams and his wife only lie buried here, north 
part of Charlton. 

Harvelin Town Burial-place. 

Located near Charlton Depot. Mr. Town and wife, and her 
father and mother, Daniel Williams and wife, and a daughter are 
buried here. Mr. Town was depot master and express agent 
about thirty years. 

The Putney Burial-place. 

This is at Barefoot Corner, so called in School District Ho. 10. 
This name, Barefoot, is said to have arose from the fact that 
soldiers from here when meeting for military duty came on serv¬ 
ice barefooted. 

This lot contains 116 square rods; it is fenced with stone; 
and has been deeded to the town, and is in good condition. 

Harvey Dresser Burial-place. 

This lot is a short distance in rear, westerly, from the old 
Dresser Tavern and late residence of this Mr. Dresser. He and 
his wife, two sons and a daughter, and his wife’s brother, Maj. 
Jerry Merritt, were buried here. 

The Fitts Burial-place. 

This is in the east part of the town, School District Ho. 6. 
It is the place of the burial of this family; the farm is now 
owned by John Hagerty; passed out of the name cf the Fitts 
family. It is about 30 by 50 feet square. Caleb Rich, wife, 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES. 


5H7 


and family, were much respected formerly in this town ; but their 
remains now rest among strangers. The lot is inclosed by a stone 
fence. 

The Mixter Burial-place. 

Located near the residence, and on the farm noted for many 
years as that of Ezra Mixter and his son, Rufus. They and their 
wives, and others of the name, lie here, but the place has passed 
from their name to other owners. 

The Joseph Martin Burialplace. 

Here are only two graves; Joseph and Mary Martin, buried in 
1827 and 1830; the ground is in an open field, near Buffins’ 
Yille, about fifteen rods from the road. Strangers now own 
the ground. 

The Chase Burial-place. 

In the south-east part of the town, near Parker School-house, 
on the road to Dudley, about seventy-five rods from the road 
on a point of land about five rods from an arm of Baker Pond. 
It is in an open lot, and about eighteen feet square. This 
family were settlers here before the war of the Revolution. 
The burials are supposed to be Eleazer Chase and wife, and son 
Timothy, who lost a leg when a soldier in that war, and two 
children. 

There is another Chase family that have a burial-place over 
the line near this yard in Dudley. The plot for the Chase 
burial-place in Charlton is reserved by deed, but as no relatives 
are known to exist, the yard and memorials are fast becoming 
obliterated, showing the error in setting aside such private yards. 

The Jonathan Tucker Burial-place. 

This is in the north-west part, near Spencer, near Millward 
School-house. Lot inclosed with stone wall. 

The only graves are Mrs. Martha, wife of Jonathan Tucker, 


568 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES. 


who died Nov. 23, 1774, and Capt. Tucker, wdiose grave has no 
memorial. 

The Capt. Jesse Smith Burial-place. 

This is in the north part of the towm, on the road leading to 
Rochdale, on the farm now owned by ¥m. D. Warren. 

It is now the town’s poor burial-place. Capt. Smith deeded 
this lot to the town; he had no children; but public-spirited, 
he gave a bell to the Baptist church, north side, but is now on 
the school-house, where he gave a thousand dollars, the interest 
to be used for repairing the school-house and giving extra school¬ 
ing. 

The Alton Burial-place. 

Located on the farm now in the north-east part of South- 
bridge, originally owned by William Alton, the first settler there. 
He came with the Dresser family from Thompson, Connecticut. 

Formerly could be seen tw r o brown field stones marking the 
heads of the graves of William and Mary Alton, buried there 
probably about the time of the Revolutionary war. These 
graves were on the south side of the road, about fifty to seventy 
rods west of the house and barn, as they now stand, but the 
stones have been removed, and as last seen by this writer, about 
two years since, were a part of the stone wall at a distance in 
the lot, fifty to sixty feet north-east from where they formerly 
were placed about a hundred years since. 

The Alton farm w r as purchased by Luther and Calvin Ammi- 
dowm May 10, 1796, 130£ acres. 

The late Caleb Ammidown, Esq., of Charlton, had that for 
his last residence. He died there April 13, 1799; then Maj. 
Calvin Ammidown made this place his residence till about 1818, 
when he sold it to William Bradford, of Woodstock, Ct. 

Maj. Ammidown moved to Center Tillage and died in the 
Columbian Building Jan. 5, 1825. 


PUBLIC AND FAMILY CEMETERIES. 


569 


The removal of these stones was an act of desecration, dis¬ 
creditable to the actor. 

The initials of the names, W. A., for William Alton, and M^ 
A., for Mary Alton, were to be seen on those head-stones by 
this writer when last there. 

THE SPURR FUND. 

This is a donation by will of Thomas Jefferson Spurr, as fol¬ 
lows : 

“ I give and bequeath to the town of Charlton, Massachusetts, 
the sum of $500 on condition that the same be invested care¬ 
fully, and that the income thereof shall annually be spent— 

“First. For taking care of the lot in the burying-ground in 
the center of said town, where the body of my father, Samuel 
D. Spurr, was buried, so that the grass, trees, stones, and fence 
be kept in good order and repair. 

“ Second . If there is any surplus, that the same shall be used 
for improving and ornamenting the common, so called, in the 
center of said town.” 

This Mr. Spurr was a lieutenant in the Fifteenth Regiment, 
Massachusetts Volunteers, wounded in the battle of Antietam, 
Sept. 17, 1862, and died at Hagerstown, Sept. 27th following, 
aged 24 years. He was a grandson of Gen. John Spurr, of 
Charlton, on his father’s side ; and on his mother’s side, grand¬ 
son of Dr. Dan Lamb, a distinguished physician of that town. 

These cemetery sketches are principally from a printed history 
of these burial-places by Rev. Aaron Titus, Jun. ; that of Wm. 
Alton, and some remarks explanatory, are by this writer. 


[end of vol. I.] 



















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